GrowSmart Maine

06/01/2026

As population growth trends in southern Maine show the communities surrounding long-standing population centers outpacing their neighbors, local and regional planning plays an increasingly critical role in shaping how growth-incurred development unfolds.

In Sunday's Portland Press Herald story, we point out that "[c]oncentrating growth around town centers and existing infrastructure, investing in downtowns and mixed-use development and focusing on multi-modal transportation to reduce traffic congestion and car-reliance will all help communities weather future changes".

Census data shows population growing in Portland's immediate suburbs at a faster rate than the city itself, mirroring a national trend.

05/21/2026

WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENT:
Decoding Data Centers: Local Impacts and Strategies for Community Preparedness

Register here: https://growsmartmaine.org/blog/forums/decoding-data-centers/

Jay, Sanford, Limestone, Wiscassett, Eastport, Scarborough, Lewiston - what do these towns have in common? They have each been in the news as a prospective host community for data center development in the state.

The landscape has shifted dramatically regarding data center development in Maine. High energy costs were long-assumed to be a barrier to their arrival in the state, but as proposals land on town and city council dockets, it’s clear that Maine communities are not insulated from navigating the opportunities and challenges associated with these facilities.

From the public perspective, for every certainty provided in the data center development process, there are two unknowns. It’s certain that data centers will have significant impact on local economies, the environment, and electrical infrastructure; the extent to which those impacts can offset one another, nevermind represent an overall improvement in the communities they’re sited in is unknown. Investment in AI companies and data center development has become a major macroeconomic force, with some projections forecasting that companies will invest nearly $7 trillion dollar in data centers by 2030 and the valuations of AI companies ballooning into the billions, if not trillions, of dollars; what is less clear is the economic growth that occurs at the local level as a result of data center development, particularly after these facilities are built.
Community wellbeing relative to these projects is dependent on a robust and transparent public process that persistently contextualizes what’s at stake for the community – and state – as a whole.

How can communities prepare themselves to approach planning and development decisions that balance a diverse array of local priorities? What tools and resources are out there to build and implement a sound decision-making process; and which are necessary to create?

Join us on June 4th to learn about the unique impacts and considerations associated with data center developments and a discussion of the strategies for empowering communities in Maine and around the nation to make sound decisions.

Sponsored by Kennebec Savings Bank

Featuring:
Tony P**a - The Brookings Institution
Anja Collette - City of Bangor
Steve Clemmer - Union of Concerned Scientists

Join us on June 4th to learn about the unique impacts and considerations associated with data center developments and a discussion of the strategies for empowering communities in Maine and around the nation to make sound decisions.

05/14/2026

Maine has a roadmap for the next 5 years, and it’s time to get to work!

Meeting the Moment: An Environmental Policy Guide for Maine (https://meetingthemoment.protectmaine.org/) outlines real solutions to protect land and water, strengthen communities, advance Wabanaki sovereignty, and build a clean energy future.

“Change is going to happen," said Nancy Smith, CEO of GrowSmart Maine. “It’s how we prepare for and navigate change that will determine the health and prosperity of our communities.”
https://mainemorningstar.com/2026/05/12/environmental-groups-unveil-policy-roadmap-with-an-eye-towards-maines-future-leaders/

A coalition of Maine environmental and community health organizations have published a five-year policy guide outlining how Maine can address environmental challenges and opportunities ahead of this year’s pivotal elections for governor and Maine Legislature. “Maine’s future leaders will be st...

05/14/2026

“Change is going to happen. It’s how we prepare for and navigate change that will determine the health and prosperity of our communities,” said Nancy Smith, CEO of GrowSmart Maine. “Every community in Maine can benefit from a collaborative planning process that guides its development, preserves open space, encourages outdoor activities, prevents pollution, and supports economic development for future generations. Maine’s next leaders have an important role to play in helping every community be healthy, prosperous, and prepared.”

05/07/2026

Have you heard about the Voluntary Municipal Farm Support Program?

Here's your chance to learn about VMFSP and take a deeper dive into the opportunities that this program can create in your community. Use this link (https://www.mainefarmlandtrust.org/events) to access more information and sign up for the workshop and/or webinar!

UPDATE: The in-person workshop has been postponed, please stay tuned for a new date and in the meantime, join us for the webinar on June 15th.

Join us for two upcoming events exploring the Voluntary Municipal Farm Support Program! Alongside GrowSmart Maine and Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, we are hosting a free in-person workshop and informative Zoom webinar to learn more about the VMFSP and the process for local adoption.

The VMFSP allows towns to create a local, non-permanent agricultural conservation easement program while lowering the property tax burden on farms. Municipalities may develop a VMFSP to enter into farm support arrangements with eligible farmland owners. Owners accepted into a town’s program grant a non-permanent agricultural conservation easement in exchange for full or partial reimbursement of property taxes on their qualifying farmland and farm buildings during the easement term. Statutory changes made in 2025 have increased flexibility with some elements of the VMFSP, making it easier to qualify and adopt. Learn more and RSVP to the events here - https://www.mainefarmlandtrust.org/events

05/05/2026

ANNOUNCEMENT: Meet Leigh Hallett, GrowSmart Maine's next CEO!

An exciting announcement from Larissa Holland, Board Chair, GrowSmart Maine

As Chair of the GrowSmart Maine board, I am pleased to share with you all that Leigh Hallett has officially accepted our offer to be the next CEO of GrowSmart Maine, with a start date of Monday, August 3rd!

When Nancy Smith announced at our October 2025 Summit that she would be retiring, it marked the end of an era for GrowSmart. Nancy has been at the helm since 2010, and over those fifteen years she has brought passionate advocacy, steady leadership, and an unmatched network of relationships across Maine - especially in the rural communities that are so central to our mission, and so important to me. Finding the right person to carry that work forward has been both an honor and a responsibility we have taken seriously. Leigh Hallett is exactly that person.

Leigh’s expertise includes nonprofit leadership, equitable resource deployment, agricultural and food system policy, and rural economic development. This combination of skills makes her exceptionally well-suited to advance GrowSmart Maine's mission of fostering vibrant, sustainable communities across the state. Leigh’s background includes directing resource programs for the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, serving as a Public Information Officer for USDA Rural Development, and directing statewide nonprofits, including the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets, and most recently, the Maine Trails Coalition.

“I’ve worked across the state, and throughout my career I’ve seen firsthand that Maine’s future depends on the balance between smart development and thoughtful conservation,” said Leigh when asked what inspired her to apply for this role. “I’m thrilled to join GrowSmart Maine, where the work is focused on this critical balance. I look forward to helping communities thrive by protecting the resources that make Maine home while building the economic opportunities we need now and for the future.”

While Leigh is not officially starting until August, she will be joining Nancy at key touch points between now then.

“I join the Board and Staff here at GrowSmart Maine in celebrating this exciting moment, and the fact that we get to hand the baton from one formidable leader to another.” says Board Chair, Larissa Holland. “GrowSmart's work is deeply valued in communities across Maine and in the halls of the Capitol, and we couldn't be more confident that Leigh is exactly the right person to lead us into this next chapter.”

05/02/2026

28 people showed up early on a rainy Saturday for in Portland. We heard from walk leader Markos Miller about the history of Franklin Street in Portland and progress on creating a walkable, livable urban center. Thanks to Maine Preservation for organizing this statewide annual event!

04/30/2026

is this Saturday, May 2nd. Join us in Portland at 9:00 am to learn about the progress of the Franklin Street redevelopment.

Fifty years ago, numerous Portland neighborhoods were destroyed to make way for the Franklin Street arterial. Hundreds of residents and local businesses, many of immigrant and low-income communities, were forced out so that new suburbanites could easily commute back into the city. Franklin Street, once lined with trees and historic homes, became a ¾ mile mini-highway that turned its back on the city.

Twenty years-ago local residents organized to advocate for a new design that restored Franklin Street to the urban fabric of the Portland peninsula. They formed the ad hoc Franklin Reclamation Authority (FRA) to advance a vision of a Franklin Street where people could live, work, and play, as well as get around the city. Their efforts have advanced local and state thinking about Franklin Street. The city of Portland is now in the final stages of a redesign of the street.

In 2018, GrowSmart Maine presented the City of Portland with a Maine Smart Growth Award for Outstanding Plan for Franklin Street Redesign. Eight years later, GrowSmart Maine would like to revisit Franklin Street to see the progress of the plan that converts an auto-centric design into a multi-modal corridor, improving safety and accessibility for all users.”

Join Grow Smart Maine’s Events Committee Member Markos Miller, a FRA founding member, to learn about the history of the historic Franklin Street communities, the street redesign process, and how the corridor could unlock opportunities to combat sprawl with housing and economic development, while creating a vibrant multi-modal urban street that better balances the needs of commuters with local residents.

Click here for more details: https://janeswalkme.org/walk/re-urbanizing-the-urban-fabric-portlands-franklin-street/

04/27/2026

This bill is allows time for Maine to develop guardrails for large-scale data centers, as speculators seek fast deals. Instructions below from our friends at Maine Conservation Voters, to work with the Legislature to override Governor Mills' veto!

Governor Janet Mills has vetoed LD 307, a bill to pause large-scale data centers in Maine.

This is a disappointing outcome, but there's still a chance for this bill to become law. When the Legislature reconvenes on April 29 for “Veto Day," lawmakers could vote to override the Governor's veto. An override requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers, and getting enough votes will be a challenge, but it's still important for lawmakers to hear from you right now.

Mainers have made it clear through petitions, messages, and local opposition that there is strong support for a pause to put the right safeguards in place. Large-scale data centers consume enormous amounts of water and electricity and pose real risks to our environment, communities, and our energy system.

Urge your lawmakers to override the veto at the link below and stand with Maine people: https://secure.ngpvan.com/x8XY4U34Ckms4jRArHxLkQ2