Afternoon Workshops-Session II

Big-Box Downtown Connection: Reactions and strategies
Stacy Mitchell, Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Jenny Mayher, Our Town Damariscotta citizens group
Peter Morelli, Saco rep (Main St Program & Big Box Ban)

What effect do so-called "Big Box" stores have on communities and locally-owned businesses? This session will include research results of Big Box stores' impact on local economies and offer strategies on how communities can react. In Maine, citizens and small business owners are working together to maintain vital town centers and preserve their local character.

Smart Growth Efforts

Richard Berman, Berman Associates, moderator
Diane Doyle, Horton Meadows & Ferry Landing Conservation Subdivisions
Terry DeWan, Oak Hill Plaza
Scott Houldin, Point East Maritime Village, Wiscasset

On-the-ground examples of smart development. Ferry Landing Conservation Subdivision, Saco; Saccarappa Terrace Mixed-Use Downtown Project, Westbrook; Oak Hill Conversion Project, Scarborough.

Rediscovering Neighborhood Schools: preserving these essential community assets
Practice of consolidating schools in Maine-at what cost?
Maggie Drummond, GrowSmart Maine
James Carignan, State Board of Education
Local schools champion: Portland
Local schools champion: rural community

Regional Planning: Where do we go from here?
Sue Inches, State Planning Office, moderator
MDOT rep, Gateway 1 Project
Paul Schumacher, Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission

The Transfer of Development Rights dilemma: Can we make it work in Maine?
Evan Richert, Land Use Consultant
Mark Eyerman, Planning Decisions
Jay Espy, Maine Coast Heritage Trust
George Hawkins, New Jersey Future
Dru Schmidt-Perkins, 1000 Friends of Maryland

Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) is a tool which promotes development in the most appropriate places-and protects valuable farmland and open space. The process works by designating 'sending areas' and 'receiving areas,' and can benefit landowners, developers and the community. The process of creating an effective TDR program which could work beyond a single town's borders is complicated. Few states have tackled it effectively. Join this planning session on how a statewide TDR program might work in Maine. Leaders from two states who have successful programs will lend their wisdom.

Rural Revitalization: Emerging trends
Mary Ann Hayes, Maine Rural Partners, moderator
Rep from a 'Harness the Wealth' pilot community

Based on an emerging rural economic development initiative, Maine Rural Partners has launched Harness the Wealth! a new comprehensive, community-based program for rural communities. Harness the Wealth! is designed to identify, mobilize and sustain strategic community resources for rural revitalization and is modeled largely on the award-winning "Home Town Competitiveness" program developed in Nebraska. The program mobilizes local leadership, captures wealth transfer, energizes entrepreneurship and attracts young people. One/two pilot communities share their experience.

Rebuilding New Orleans: Hear from David Goldberg, Smart Growth America, who has traveled with Andres Duany to participate in post-hurricane rebuilding.
 

Also, two girls from Camden, Maine who spent time in the region building housing for Habitat for Humanity.

Building a New Innovation Economy (Jobs Innovation Fund $130 m)
New Jobs Innovation Fund Reaction to recommendations...someone from each cluster.this still evolving.

Global Warming and Maine: Will the next Katrina accelerate a new migration north?

Communication 101
Dick Brooks, Action Media

Buy Local: emerging efforts
Portland Buy Local
Western Mountains Alliance
Damariscotta local businesses

"Growing Together" a film by Melissa Paly, Cross Current Productions
A film that explores an alternative approach to making land use decisions based on collaborative decision-making as opposed to the more traditional and too-often contentious project approval process.