Last year, "Charting Maine's Future," the GrowSmart-Brookings Report, investigated the connections between Maine's economy, our quality places, and our governance. The Brookings Institution found ample good news: our economy is growing, and the "Maine brand" is still strong. But we also face challenges: a high tax burden is accelerating sprawl, while our emerging innovation economy remains small.

The Report's findings can be unified in a single insight: that protecting our quality places, growing the innovation economy and streamlining government are related and interdependent issues. We continue to make progress on them all and your participation is vital.

Let's meet at the Summit.

MAINE’S QUALITY PLACES COUNCIL:  “OUR CHARGE, OUR RECOMMENDATIONS” [session 1]

Last year, the Governor appointed a Council of conservationists, business owners, planners, and municipal officials to develop a plan to protect and enhance Maine’s distinctive “quality of place.”  This fall, the Council is expected to release its recommendations – hear from some of its members and share your ideas in this workshop.

• Dick Barringer, Council Chair
• John Rohman, WBRC Architects, Council member (invited)
• Ed Barrett, Bangor Mayor,  Council member
• Tracy Michaud Stutzman, Maine Highlands Artisans Guild, Council member

"COASTAL CHOICES: A TOOLKIT FOR PRESERVING MAINE'S COAST" [session 1]

Our coastline is one of the state’s most valuable economic assets, but swiftly rising land values are jeopardizing traditional public access. In this workshop, the Maine Coast Protection Initiative will showcase case studies from five Maine communities that have worked together to preserve our coastal heritage. Participants will receive the toolkit package and DVD.

• Rich Knox, Maine Coast Heritage Trust
• Melissa Paly, Cross Current Productions

THE WORKING WATERFRONT ACCESS PILOT PROGRAM: HELP FOR FISHERMEN [session 2]

Public-private investments that preserve access to Maine’s clam flats, wharfage, landings, and other waterfront infrastructure have supported hundreds of jobs and netted millions in marine-related income. Hear from members of the coalition behind this Pilot Program, and learn how these investments in waterfront “quality places” directly relate to economic prosperity in coastal communities.  Discussion of pending federal legislation will be included.

• Joey Donnelly, Working Waterfront Coalition, moderator
• Deirdre Gilbert, Department of Marine Resources
• Willow Rheault, Coastal Enterprises, Inc/WWAPP administrator
• Jennifer Litteral, Island Institute

PLACE-BASED TOURISM [session 3]

Maine’s forests, farms, small towns, and seacoast are attracting a growing market for eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and experiential tourism. This workshop will bring together leaders of regional marketing efforts to discuss how the Maine “brand” - our quality places - can grow these niches of the tourism industry.

• David Vail, Bowdoin College Adams-Catlin Professor of Economics, moderator
• Abbe Levin, Maine Office of Tourism—Kennebec-Chaudiere corridor
• Judy East, Washington County Council of Govts.
• Bo Norris, Northern Forest Center

MILL BUILDING REDEVELOPMENT [session 1]

Bruce Katz of the Brookings Institution once commented that “Maine has good bones.”  Our historic mill buildings, mostly vacated of their original industrial tenants, are finding new life as offices and residences in a number of exciting redevelopment projects statewide.  Participants will discuss their projects and the implication of a newly-enacted statewide building code.

• Barbara Trafton, Keller Williams Realty, Quality Places Council, moderator
• Kevin Mattson, Mattson Development., Quality Places Council
• Tom Niemann, Hathaway Creative Center
• Ric Quesada, Bowdoin Mill, Topsham; Knox Mill, Camden

DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION AND NATURAL PLACES: MAKING THE CONNECTION [session 1]

Increasingly, conservationists are looking to preserve wild places in the midst of our downtowns: both as a way to conserve habitat and as a way to make our communities more attractive places to live and work. This workshop will discuss the relationships between downtown revitalization, in-town parks and wild places, historic preservation, and rural landscapes.

• Bonnie Pothier, Key Bank of Maine, moderator
• Jayne Palmer, Maine Downtown Center Advisory Board
• Hilary Bassett, Greater Portland Landmarks, Quality Places Council
• Jonathan LaBonte, Androscoggin Land Trust

MAIN STREET RENEWAL [session 2]

Maine’s historic, human-scaled Main Streets are obvious examples of the “quality places” that attract skilled workers and creative businesses to our state. This workshop will showcase statewide and local programs that seek to preserve and energize our Main Streets with new activity and redevelopment.

• Shannon Haines, Waterville Main Street Program
• Bill King, Main Downtown Center Advisory Board

RIVERFRONT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT [session 3]

In November, voters will decide on a $5 million bond for conservation and riverfront community development projects. This workshop showcases a few of the ideas that might benefit from this bond proposal and discuss how they might revitalize local economies and enhance wildlife habitat in riverfront communities.

• Senator Peggy Rotundo, moderator
• Greg Dore, Run of River Project, Skowhegan
• Jason Simcock, Gardiner’s Kennebec River project
• Cheryl Daigle, Penobscot River Project

CONTEXT-SENSITIVE DESIGN:  planning WITH people [session 1]

Context-sensitive design utilizes a rigorous public process to transform typical car-oriented highway and road projects into more humane public spaces. This workshop will provide an overview of context-sensitive design principles and how to implement its process in community planning situations.

• Bruce Hyman, GrowSmart Maine
• Sally Oldham, Oldham Historic Properties
• Mitch Rasor, Standish visioning project

REDUCING GLOBAL WARMING - IT'S ALL ABOUT DRIVING [session 1]

Experts say that we can’t meet critical CO2 reductions and stabilize the global climate without significant cutbacks in “Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT).”  Compact development and smart growth are key drivers in reducing VMT.  Studies have shown that we have an unmet demand for smaller, denser housing.  What are our opportunities for achieving CO2 reductions via new ways of developing our communities?

• Beth Nagusky, GrowSmart Maine
• Reid Ewing, National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education
• Dan Sosland, Director of Environment Northeast

“SAVE OUR LAND, SAVE OUR TOWNS,” a film by Thomas Hylton [session 2]

Vibrant towns or sprawl?  This film taps into a growing concern about sprawl among ordinary Americans.  It is a story of hope—logical reasons why America’s towns can be rebuilt and its countryside preserved from strip malls and subdivisions.  The program is designed to be engaging and personal—a voyage of discovery, rather than a mere recitation of facts, with moments of revelation, humor and emotion.

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR SMART GROWTH [session 1]

Smart Growth continues to be a growing real estate niche, so who are the market leaders?  This session provides an overview of the state of Smart Growth from a real estate and capital markets perspective, and presents a business case as to why developers and production builders should consider the Smart Growth market to stay competitive in changing times.  Topics covered will include placemaking & design, consumer preferences, price premiums, shifting demographics and housing trends, and infrastructure cost and phasing.

• Matt Teare, Sea Coast Management Co., moderator
• Lee Sobel, US EPA’s Office of Development, Community & Environment
• Jonathan Ford, Morris Beacon Design

SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES: "THE INFORMED GROWTH ACT OF MAINE" [session 3]

Last spring, the Legislature passed a new law that will require independent economic impact studies for new retail developments over 75,000 square feet in size – roughly the threshold for “big-box” stores. Hear from some of the activists who worked to pass this bill and learn what local economies can expect from this new legislation.

• Eleanor Kinney, Our Town Damariscotta
• Stacy Mitchell, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, author of Big Box Swindle

BUILD IT GREEN:  LEED-ND [session 3]

LEED for Neighborhood Development: This new rating system makes the connection between green building and smart growth development and certifies that developers will save energy, minimize land consumption and reduce environmental impacts.  This national system and other local initiatives will help developers gain municipal approvals, funding resources, and citizen acceptance.  Affordability is espoused.

• Jay Waterman, Evergreen Communities, moderator
• Richard Graves, US Green Building Council Board, WBRC Architects-Engineers
• Gunnar Hubbard, Fore Solutions
• Dale McCormick, Maine State Housing Authority

PASSENGER RAIL:  ITS FUTURE IN MAINE [session 3]

New England’s Downeaster Train has enjoyed a healthy resurgence and increased passenger activity.  Some towns are planning for the line to expand, while other states prepare to make enormous investments to increase rail usage.

• Patricia Quinn, Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority
• Wayne Davis, TrainRiders Northeast
• Matt Eddy, Town of Brunswick
• Kristina Egan, Massachusetts’ SouthCoast Rail Line (invited)

LOW-IMPACT DEVELOPMENT: THE JORDAN COVE PROJECT [session 3]

Over ten years ago, the EPA began monitoring runoff from two newly-built neighborhoods: a conventional subdivision, and one that utilized clustered housing and other elements of “green” design. This workshop will discuss the findings of the ten-year experiment and outline some of the benefits, both economic and ecological, of innovative, ecologically-sensitive real estate development.

Karen Young, Casco Bay Estuary Project, moderator
Dr. John Clausen, University of Connecticut

• Keynote Speaker Professor Ronald Heifetz, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
• A Candidates' Forum: Congressman Tom Allen speaks with GrowSmart Maine President Alan Caron.
• A "youth infusion" with 100 scholarships for young Mainers
• Three national guests: Reid Ewing, National Center for Smart Growth Research & Education; Lee Sobel, US EPA Office of Development, Community & Environment; Jonathan Ford, Morris Beacon Design.
• A Google Maps-based carpool matchup for participants
• Even more workshop opportunities than in previous years: 3 sessions with 11 workshop choices in each
• Maine-grown, Maine-produced foods
• Complimentary registrations for Legislators who bring a colleague "from the other side of the aisle"
• Lunchtime meetups on various topics to facilitate networking
• Film showings including "Maine Women Living on the Land" by Lauren Shaw, "Coastal Choices" by Melissa Paly, and "Save Our Land, Save Our Towns" by Thomas Hylton.

GROWING A CLUSTER: SPECIALTY FOODS AND DISABILITY INSURANCE [session 1]

The Brookings Report identified “clusters” of similar small businesses in Maine as a promising source of economic growth. This workshop will bring together venture capitalists and representatives from two of Maine’s clusters to discuss how groups of similar businesses can collaborate to take advantage of economic development funding, create economies of scale, and catalyze growth.

• Karen Mills, Solera Capital, moderator
• Mike Burgmaier, CEI Community Ventures, Inc.
• Don Morrison, Morrison’s Chowder
• Frank Williamson, UNUM Group

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN MAINE: THE NEW "GREEN" CLUSTER? [session 1]

Maine is already a national leader in carbon-free electrical generation, and proposed wind- and biomass-power projects will only strengthen our position in the era of global warming. Alternative energy could also bolster our innovation economy, improve the electrical grid, and reduce utility costs. Learn more about alternative energy in Maine and the ramifications of its development.

• Joe Migliaccio, moderator, Maine Technology Institute
• John Ferland, Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine
• Dave Wilby, Renewable Energy Developers Association
• Chris Sauer, Ocean Renewable Power Company

INNOVATION AND FISHERIES: AQUACULTURE [session 2]

Maine’s cutting-edge aquaculture industry is pushing the envelope in diverse ways, expanding our traditional fishing heritage and growing businesses.  Learn about the opportunities and challenges of this industry and our need to preserve working waterfronts and water farming acreage.

• Dan Daggett, Bowdoinham Federal Credit Union, moderator
• Jake Ward, University of Maine Office of Research & Economic Development
• Bill Keleher , Micro Technologies Inc.
• Sebastian Belle, Maine Aquaculture Association

INNOVATION AND FORESTRY: WOOD COMPOSITES AND BIOFUELS [session 2]

In the face of increasing global competition, Maine’s forest products industries are relying on innovation to increase productivity and expand their markets. This workshop will showcase some of the new products and ideas that utilize both our forest resources and our Yankee ingenuity.

• Tom Doak, Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine, moderator
• Habib Dagher, Advanced Wood Composite Center
• Mike Bilodeau, Pulp & Paper Research Institute

REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: THE NORTHSTAR ALLIANCE [session 2]

The North Star Alliance is an industry-led initiative to attract and grow marine-related and composite materials businesses in coastal Maine. This workshop will discuss the Alliance’s collaborative approach to marketing, research, job training, and infrastructural development.

• Deb Cook, Cook Consulting, moderator
• Christina Sklarz-Libby, North Star Alliance Initiative
• Steve Von Vogt, Maine Marine Manufacturing
• John Kachmar, President of Wilbur Yachts

INNOVATION AND AGRICULTURE: MAINE POTATOES AND BIO-BASED PLASTICS [session 3]

Maine’s traditional natural-resource-based industries are innovating to add value to their products and compete in the global market. Learn how farmers are utilizing emerging technologies to turn Maine spuds into “green” plastics and fabrics, and how this innovation could benefit the agriculture industry as well as Maine manufacturers.

• Betsy Biemann, Maine Technology Institute, moderator
• Stacie Beyer, Interface Fabrics
• Don Flannery, Maine Potato Board
• Mike Belliveau, Environmental Health Strategy Center 

CAN GOVERNMENT STREAMLINE AND REDESIGN ITSELF FOR THE 21ST CENTURY? [session 1]

A critical mass of public energy is building in support of structural change in government.  The Maine Legislature has created OPEGA*, The Office of Program Evaluation & Government Accountability to improve the accountability, oversight and performance of State government for the benefit of Maine’s citizens.  Can government change itself?  Will it need the intervention of a circle of outside experts, civic and business leaders, as “Charting Maine’s Future” recommends?  Will it ultimately need to go to the voters?

• Valerie Landry, GrowSmart Maine, moderator
• Beth Ashcroft, OPEGA*
• Chuck Lawton, Planning Decisions
• Tony Payne, Alliance for Maine's Future
• David Flanagan, Maine Public Spending Research Group

FEWER SUPERINTENDENTS, MORE LOCAL SCHOOLS:  the challenge of consolidation [session 2]

School administrative reform dominated the conversation in the Legislature last year, and soon Maine will have significantly fewer school districts and superintendents. This workshop will focus on how these changes seek to benefit local schools by easing the strain on local budgets, and what the next steps will be in making school spending more efficient.

• Senator Karl Turner, moderator
• Susan Gendron, Maine Commissioner of Education
• Jim Cohen, Maine Public Spending Research Group and Portland City Councilor
• Mona Baker, Western Maine Collaborative
• William Shuttleworth, Superintendent Bath Public Schools and SU #47

BROOKINGS 101 WITH A SPIN FOR YOUTH [session 1]

This presentation is designed to attract grassroots support for the GrowSmart-Brookings “Action Plan for Sustainable Prosperity” among Maine’s student leaders. Come see the presentation, share your thoughts, and learn more about our outreach efforts in Maine high schools and universities.

• Christian McNeil, GrowSmart Maine
• Jesse Baines, GrowSmart Maine

GLOBAL WARMING - IT'S ALL ABOUT DRIVING [session 1]

We can’t meet critical CO2 reductions and stabilize the global climate without significant cutbacks in “Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT).” Compact development and smart growth are key drivers in reducing VMT. Studies have shown that we have an unmet demand for smaller, denser housing. What are our opportunities for achieving CO2 reductions via new ways of developing our communities?

• Beth Nagusky , GrowSmart Maine
• Reid Ewing , National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education

GREEN TOWNS, COOL CITIES, AND CARBON-FREE HOMES [session 1]

Climate change poses big threats to our natural-resource-based industries and quality places, but some of Maine’s government, municipal leaders and individuals are taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas production – and enjoying related benefits that include improved public health, better technology, and streamlined budgets.

• Andy Burt, Freeport’s No Idling Program
• Mayor Mark Johnston, Saco’s Cool Cities efforts
• Larisa Ebinger, 10,000 Carbon Free Homes program

“LUNCH IS A CLASSROOM:” FARMS-TO-SCHOOLS [session 2]

In Midcoast Maine, a regional farms-to-schools initiative is bringing together local farmers, students, and school staff to provide healthier meals for school lunch. In addition to the obvious health benefits, the program also supports local farms and provides unique learning opportunities that are being integrated into school curricula.

• Amy Winston, Lincoln County Economic Development at Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
• Mike Sanborn, Food Service Director U74
• Michelle York, School Health Coordinator
• Jen Ribeiro, Curriculum coordinator U74
• Jan Goranson, Goranson Farm

WHAT ATTRACTS YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAINE? [session 2]

With an aging workforce, Maine faces a shortage of the “human capital” it needs to carry its economy forward, but new organizations, strategies, and policies are emerging to attract and retain additional young, educated workers in Maine. This conversation is highly recommended for HR professionals, job recruiters, and managers.

• Rob Brown, Opportunity Maine
• Noah Keteyian, Realize!Maine
• Tanya Pereira, Fusion: Bangor

MODELS OF YOUTH ENGAGEMENT [session 3]

Long-term prosperity can’t happen without an involvement and leadership from Maine’s younger generations. This workshop will discuss efforts to cultivate new civic leadership in student communities and among recent graduates.

• Yellow Light Breen, Realize!Maine, moderator
• Justin Alfond, League of Young Voters
• Ashley Morgan, Lewiston Youth Advisory Council
• Jeff Poulin, Maine Youth Action Network

INVOLVING YOUNG PEOPLE IN COMMUNITY PLANNING [session 3]

Based in Lewiston-Auburn, the KIDS (Kids Involved Doing Service) Consortium brings community leaders, teachers, and administrators together to involve students in civic issues. This discussion among educators and community leaders will focus on how schools can improve communities while also advancing elements of the curriculum.

• Lynne Seeley, GrowSmart Maine, moderator
• Fran Rudoff, KIDS Consortium

“MAINE WOMEN LIVING ON THE LAND,” a film by Lauren Shaw [session 3]

Photographer Lauren Shaw share the stories of ten remarkable Maine women in this series of sensitive portraits and interviews.  Shaw began her photographic journey in 1996 in an effort to understand and connect with the women of rural Maine.  Her photographs celebrate their tenacity, ingenuity and integrity, and by extension other women who lead challenging lives on the land.  The communal story Shaw’s work portrays is one we all share and brings us to a better understanding of our place in the world and the relationship between all things.