The Community Institute session #3 Downtowns and Locally Owned Businesses is this Thursday and Friday in Belfast Maine. Our talented faculty members include John Massengale, Bettina Doulton, Nancy Smith, Lorain Francis, Robin McIntosh, Patrick Wright, Meg Carlson, Mary Kate Reny, Jenny Mayher, and Bre Bebb.  A follow-up report sharing what we learned and accomplished will be available next week. 
We are already planning our sessions for 2015-2016 including "Community Economics" in October 2015, "The Farms, Foods and Conservation Connection" in January-February 2016, and "Maine Millennials" in April-May 2016.
Stay tuned for more information including advance registration.

Save the Date - June 18 at 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Building Strong Communities

Join Friends of Midcoast Maine at the "Building Strong Communities" annual event at the Rockport Opera House in downtown Rockport. Once again we will be holding our annual meeting and event with Community Showcases and the ever popular Community Spotlight, featuring TEN five-minute pecha-kucha-like presentations and a $500 prize to the People's Choice Award for the strongest Community Building Project. This event SOLD OUT in 2014.  Don't miss out!  Register today.
Event Packet with Mail-In Option
Register to attend, sponsor, or present here! 
Early sponsors include The Town of Rockport and The Orton Family Foundation. Your business can be a sponsor too.
 

Transit Forums

 

The Maine Department of Transportation is holding a series of forums regarding general public transit -services.  A recent statewide analysis of transit services, compiled as part of the Maine Strategic Transit Plan 2025, shows that there are unmet transit needs in a number of communities. MDOT is holding these forums in those communities that appear to have the largest unmet needs.  They are seeking ideas from the public on how to improve services for: 

  • Low income individuals

  • The elderly

  • Individuals with disabilities

  • Members of the general public

 The results of these forums will be important for advising future investments for general public transit services and for the public participation process established by MaineDOT in its efforts to meet both state and federal transportation planning and funding requirements for transit services (Ref 23 MRSA 4209 and Federal Transit Administration's Locally Coordinated Transit Plan requirements). 

  

Next week, Tuesday, May 12, a public forum will be held from 2 to 4 pm in the Patten Free Library in Bath. A Rockland meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 16 from 2 to 4 pm, at the DHHS District Office, 91 Camden Street, Suite 103. 

 

At the same time, MDOT is looking to finalize the Transit Plan and has begun their 30-day review period. You can find this plan on Maine DOT's website: http://maine.gov/mdot/planningstudies/mstp/  

 

More Great Conferences 

Build Maine, May 20-21 in Lewiston
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Sincerely,
Jane Lafleur, Executive Director
Friends of Midcoast Maine and The Community Institute