2025-02-20T11:41:19-05:00 2024-06-30 010522395 SMITH & ASSOCIATES CPAS 500 US ROUTE 1 STE 102 YARMOUTH ME 040966817 990 2023-07-01 810620660 GROWSMART MAINE GROW 2075824330 227 WATER STREET SUITE 215 AUGUSTA ME 043304651 NANCY E SMITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 2072500220 2025-01-21 true true LORI L ALIBERTI EA P00328190 2078468881 2025-02-20 2023 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z NANCY E SMITH SAME AS C ABOVE AUGUSTA ME 043304651 513715 false X WWW.GROWSMARTMAINE.ORG X 2003 ME TO BUILD LASTING PROSPERITY WITHOUT SACRIFICING THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT DEFINES MAINE. 17 17 7 32 0 255777 213048 225847 300060 401 607 0 482025 513715 0 0 164327 358040 0 23785 254657 213022 418984 571062 63041 -57347 460420 400884 271814 269625 188606 131259 X TO BUILD LASTING PROSPERITY WITHOUT SACRIFICING THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT DEFINES MAINE. false false 211053 79521 1)ADVOCACY TO SUPPORT SMART GROWTH PRINCIPLES. GROWSMART MAINE ENGAGES IN ADVOCACY AT THE STATE LEVEL, HOSTING LOCAL AND REGIONAL ADVOCACY WITH STATEWIDE IMPACT, WHILE SUPPORTING FEDERAL INITIATIVES IN PARTNERSHIPS. IN FY 2024, GROWSMART CONVENED THE SECOND YEAR OF POLICY ACTION 2023, ENCOMPASSING THE CALENDAR YEARS OF 2023 AND 2024. CO-LEAD WITH BUILD MAINE, THE GOAL IS TO ADDRESS BARRIERS TO AND CREATE INCENTIVES FOR EQUITABLE, SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT THAT STRENGTHEN DOWNTOWNS AND VILLAGES OF ALL SIZES WHILE PULLING DEVELOPMENT PRESSURE AWAY FROM PRODUCTIVE AND OPEN NATURE AREAS. THROUGH CROWDSOURCING AND AN OPEN PROCESS, A CROSS- SECTOR OF INTERESTS AND ORGANIZATIONS COME TOGETHER TO ADVOCATE FOR SHARED POLICY PRIORITIES. SUCCESS IS MEASURED IN SUCCESSFUL LEGISLATION, BUT ALSO IN HOSTING NECESSARY AND DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS, AND BUILDING ADVOCACY CAPACITY WITH OUR ALLIES WHILE EXPANDING RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN OUR NETWORKS ACROSS THE STATE. POLICY ACTION 2025: WITH LESSONS LEARNED FROM POLICY ACTION 2023, WE HOSTED THREE PUBLIC MEETINGS IN SPRING 2024 TO DEVELOP PRIORITY ACTIONS FOR POLICY ACTION 2025, FOR THE 132ND LEGISLATURE WHICH WILL CONVENE IN 2025 AND 2026. PLANNING FOR AG IS OUR ADVOCACY THAT PRIORITIZES FARMLAND PROTECTION AND FARM VIABILITY AS ESSENTIAL SMART GROWTH OUTCOMES EQUAL TO AND DIRECTLY RELATED TO DIRECTING GROWTH TO WHERE DEVELOPMENT MAKES SENSE FOR THE LONG TERM. GROWSMART TRACKED FOURTEEN BILLS AND PROVIDED TESTIMONY ON NINE OF THESE PROPOSALS, INCLUDING THE SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET. FEDERAL ADVOCACY: GROWSMART'S CEO PARTICIPATED IN A MARCH 2024 WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING ON BUILDING A BETTER MAINE, HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPACT OF THE ARPA, BIL, AND IRA INVESTMENTS IN MAINE COMMUNITIES. AS A DOZEN MAINERS AND NEARLY A HUNDRED OTHER STATE-LEVEL LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE FOCUSED OUR COMMENTS ON INVESTMENTS IN TRANSPORTATION INCLUDING TRANSIT AND A WORKFORCE TRANSPORTATION PILOT, LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS AND AGRICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE, DIGITAL EQUITY, AND MUCH MORE, INCLUDING THE DOWNEAST MAINE NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA. 31029 72500 2)PLANNING FOR AGRICULTURE IN OCTOBER 2022, GROWSMART MAINE ENTERED INTO A MULTI-YEAR "PLANNING FOR AG" PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST IN RESPONSE TO THE ALARMING RATE OF FARMLAND LOSS IN MAINE AND ACROSS AMERICA TO "LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT- OR SPRAWL. THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP, GROWSMART MAINE HELPS COMMUNITIES ADDRESS THE HOUSING CRISIS, WITHOUT UNDOING THE GOOD WORK TO ADDRESS THE CLIMATE CRISIS, AND WITHOUT CREATING THE NEXT CRISIS OF ACCESS TO FARMLAND AND FOOD. THE PARTNERSHIP HAS PROVIDED A FRAMEWORK TO BROADEN OUR PARTNERSHIPS, EXPAND OUR PORTFOLIO OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, AND STRENGTHEN OUR CAPACITY BY HIRING A PART-TIME PROFESSIONAL PLANNER. THREE AREAS OF WORK FALL UNDER "PLANNING FOR AG:" A.THE COMMUNITY RESILIENCE PARTNERSHIP GROWSMART MAINE IS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE COMMUNITY RESILIENCE PARTNERSHIP. THE PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR POLICY INNOVATION AND THE FUTURE AS A PART OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MAINE WON'T WAIT MAINE'S FOUR-YEAR CLIMATE ACTION PLAN. GROWSMART MAINE SUPPORTS MUNICIPALITIES TO ENROLL IN THE PROGRAM AND APPLY FOR FUNDING THROUGH THE COMMUNITY ACTION GRANT. WE SECURED GRANTS TO HELP ENROLL FOUR RURAL TOWNS IN CENTRAL MAINE - MOUNT VERNON, ROME, VIENNA, AND WAYNE - FACILITATING COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF LOCAL CHALLENGES AND PRIORITY ACTIONS. B.THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED WITHIN MAINE'S DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADDITIONAL HOUSING UNITS IN THE STATE. GROWSMART MAINE RECEIVED A GRANT THROUGH THE PROGRAM AND HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE TOWN OF BOWDOINHAM TO UPDATE ITS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WITH A FOCUS ON HOUSING, AGRICULTURE, AND FUTURE LAND USE. GROWSMART MAINE PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO REVISE LAND USE ORDINANCES. WHILE THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGES DID NOT PASS AT THIS STAGE, THE UPDATED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WAS ADOPTED BY THE TOWN MEETING. WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN. IN ADDITION, A SERIES OF STATEWIDE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS WERE DEVELOPED AS A PART OF THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM. THIS INCLUDES WEBINARS ON ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS; SHORT TERM RENTALS; FARMING AND HOUSING; AND THE PUBLISHING OF SEVERAL COMMUNITY GUIDES. C.BUILDING COMMUNITY STRENGTH WITH FUNDING FROM USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST, THE THREE-YEAR PROGRAM "BUILDING COMMUNITY STRENGTH" WAS LAUNCHED AT THE GROWSMART MAINE SUMMIT IN OCTOBER 2023. THE PROGRAM IS A RESPONSE TO THE INTERLINKED CHALLENGES FACING RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS MAINE. TRAINEES FROM TEN PARTICIPATING MUNICIPALITIES TACKLE ISSUES SUCH AS CLIMATE RESILIENCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, FARM VIABILITY AND FARMLAND PROTECTION, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. THE PROGRAM ALSO TRAINS PARTICIPANTS TO RESEARCH AND APPLY FOR STATE, FEDERAL, AND PRIVATE FUNDING. IN APRIL 2024, THE FIRST COHORT CONVENED FOR A MULTI-DAY WORKSHOP IN BANGOR. FOURTEEN TOWN MANAGERS, SELECT BOARD MEMBERS, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORS FROM PARTICIPATING TOWNS GATHERED TO NETWORK AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER. THEY MET WITH GROWSMART MAINE STAFF AND OTHER PARTNERS (INCLUDING SUNRISE COUNTY ECONOMIC COUNCIL, EASTERN MAINE DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION, NORTH STAR PLANNING, AND THE MUSSON GROUP) TO PARTICIPATE IN A SERIES OF SESSIONS FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY PLANNING. AT THE WORKSHOP, THE REPRESENTATIVES OF EACH COMMUNITY ALSO MET WITH STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS THROUGH A "SPEED-DATING" SESSION, GIVING THE COMMUNITY LEADERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO OUTLINE THEIR PRIORITIES IN ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATIONS. WHILE THE PROGRAM OFFERS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, FUNDING, AND TRAINING, A KEY COMPONENT IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF NETWORKS AMONG TOWNS. "I HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE DIFFERENT COMMUNITY LEADERS ON A RANGE OF TOPICS," SAID TIM ST. PETER OF PRESQUE ISLE. "IF I CAN LEARN FROM SOMEONE ELSE WHAT TO WATCH FOR AND AVOID, OR WHAT PROCESS WORKED FOR THEM AND BE ABLE TO APPLY IT TO OUR COMMUNITY, I THINK THAT IS A SUCCESS." THE TOWNS ENROLLED IN THE BUILDING COMMUNITY STRENGTH PROGRAM ARE SITUATED ACROSS THE STATE: CALAIS, DANFORTH, ENFIELD, HOULTON, MACHIAS, MEXICO, PRESQUE ISLE, ROQUE BLUFFS, SKOWHEGAN, AND VAN BUREN. 144805 148039 3) KENNEBEC BROADBAND PARTNERSHIP THE SECOND YEAR OF THE KENNEBEC BROADBAND PARTNERSHIP BEGAN IN DECEMBER 2023. WE CONTINUED OUR WORK FROM YEAR 1 AND ADDED NEW PROGRAMS TO HELP BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN KENNEBEC COUNTY. THE KBP, FUNDED BY THE MAINE CONNECTIVITY AUTHORITY, THE STATE ENTITY RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE TO ALL AREAS OF MAINE, IS DEDICATED TO HELPING PEOPLE IN KENNEBEC COUNTY ACCESS BROADBAND AND DIGITAL LITERACY SKILLS. IN FY 2024 GROWSMART MAINE CONVENED A DIGITAL EQUITY WORKING GROUP TO GUIDE THE KENNEBEC BROADBAND PARTNERSHIP. THE GROUP IS COMPOSED OF INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING THE COVERED POPULATIONS THE PROGRAM SEEKS TO HELP. WITH THEIR GUIDANCE DURING THE DIGITAL EQUITY PLANNING PROCESS, THE COMMITTEE MET WEEKLY FOR 7 WEEKS TO COORDINATE OUTREACH. WE COMPLETED 47 SURVEYS, 46 INTERVIEWS, 1 COMMUNITY MEETING WITH 15 ATTENDEES, COLLABORATED WITH 9 ORGANIZATIONS, AND SUBMITTED A DIGITAL EQUITY PLAN FOR KENNEBEC COUNTY. THE KBP IMPLEMENTED AND PROVIDED FUNDING FOR FOUR PILOT PROJECTS FOCUSING ON DIGITAL EQUITY. THE PROJECTS INVOLVED ONE-ON-ONE TECH HELP AT DR. SHAW MEMORIAL LIBRARY IN MT. VERNON; AN ONSITE ACP ENROLLMENT DAY AT BRIDGING THE GAP IN AUGUSTA; A TECH HELP AND ACP ENROLLMENT PROGRAM WITH LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF KENNEBEC; AND HELPED ONE OLDER ADULT LIVING IN A HUD SENIOR APARTMENT IN HALLOWELL TO OBTAIN AND LEARN HOW TO USE A DESKTOP COMPUTER. THESE PILOT PROJECTS HELPED US TO UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE IN THE COVERED POPULATION AND HOW THEY WANTED TO RECEIVE TRAINING AND SERVICES FOR DIGITAL LITERACY. ALSO, DURING THIS TIME, CONCERTED OUTREACH WAS CONDUCTED WITH LIBRARIES, ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS, MULTIPLE NONPROFITS, MUNICIPALITIES, AND OTHER SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS TO INFORM THEM ABOUT THE ACP AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF LOW-COST DEVICES AND DIGITAL LITERACY CLASSES. MUCH OF THE OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND TABLING EVENTS CONDUCTED IN THE SECOND HALF OF 2023 WERE RELATED TO THE ACP AND HOW TO ENROLL. BY THE END OF 2023, GSM HELD IN-PERSON VISITS AND MEETINGS WITH ALL 18 LIBRARIES IN KENNEBEC COUNTY. BEGINNING THE SECOND YEAR OF THE KENNEBEC BROADBAND PARTNERSHIP, THE PROGRAM FUNDED A 20-HOUR-PER-WEEK DIGITAL NAVIGATOR FOR KENNEBEC COUNTY HIRED BY NDEC AND PAID FOR OUT OF GSM'S CONTRACT WITH THE MAINE CONNECTIVITY AUTHORITY. THE KBP PROGRAM DIRECTOR COORDINATES WITH THE DIGITAL NAVIGATOR TO SCHEDULE PRESENTATIONS, OUTREACH, AND TABLING EVENTS, MAKE INTRODUCTIONS, AND COORDINATE TECH AND COMPUTER HELP AT 15 NDEC ONSITE PARTNER LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. IN ADDITION, ONE-ON-ONE TECH HELP IS OFFERED AT ALMOST ONE-THIRD OF THE LIBRARIES IN THE COUNTY WITH SUPPORT FROM THE KBP. THE KBP ALSO INSTITUTED A STIPEND PROGRAM TO FUND DIGITAL EQUITY PROGRAMS IN KENNEBEC COUNTY. 386887 true true false true false false false false true false true false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 5 0 true 7 true false false false false false false false false false false false false false X 17 17 false false false false false true true true true false false true true true true true true true false false X NANCY E SMITH 2075824330 SAME AS C ABOVE AUGUSTA ME 043304651 NANCY E SMITH EXECUTIVE DI 40.00 X 88816 0 14298 FINN BONDESON BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JON BOYNTON EVENTS COMMI 2.00 X 0 0 0 REBECCA CASEY VICE CHAIR 2.00 X X 0 0 0 JEAN CLAVEAU TREASURER 2.00 X 0 0 0 MEHUMAN ERNST BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ELIZABETH FRAZIER BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHRISTINE GRIMANDO BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 DANIEL HILDRETH EMERITUS X 0 0 0 LARISSA HOLLAND BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 SAMANTHA HORN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ERIC HOWARD BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JEFF LEVINE BOARD CHAIR 3.00 X 0 0 0 ZOE MILLER BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 DANIELLE MORIARITY BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 LAUREN OLSON BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 EVAN RICHERT EMERITUS X 0 0 0 LYNNE SEELEY BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 BEN SMITH BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 ANNA MARIE THRON EMERITUS X 0 0 0 GALEN WEIBLEY BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 88816 14298 false false false 35356 98650 79042 213048 KBP FEE FOR SERVICE 900099 148039 148039 PLANNING FOR AG FEE FOR SVC 900099 72500 72500 SUMMIT FEE FOR SERVICE 900099 41450 41450 BROADBAND FEE FOR SERVICE 900099 19363 19363 FISCAL FEES 900099 10010 10010 8698 8698 300060 607 607 513715 300060 607 103114 58303 34164 10647 209250 149684 49397 10169 3581 2591 769 221 18439 14719 3607 113 23656 23656 16082 16082 16916 13713 3203 66 66 22726 10208 12093 425 3945 1379 686 1880 9763 9763 13154 12093 904 157 33129 30658 2298 173 305 305 3463 3463 PROGRAM STIPENDS 76856 76856 PROGRAM COSTS 16617 16617 571062 386887 160390 23785 56316 22009 246395 169665 122349 173655 54122 19817 34610 34305 750 1250 460420 400884 13660 32342 108350 140135 149804 97148 271814 269625 X 154606 97259 34000 34000 188606 131259 460420 400884 -57347 X false false false X 157805 193632 168462 255777 213048 988724 24225 21587 54985 225847 300060 626704 182030 215219 223447 481624 513108 1615428 35000 15000 17500 35000 45000 147500 35000 15000 17500 35000 45000 147500 1467928 56 64 31 401 607 1159 56 64 31 401 607 1159 182086 215283 223478 482025 513715 1616587 0.90800 0.89450 0.00000 0.00000 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED true true false false false false true 22028 false false 22028 false SCHEDULE C, PART II-B, LINE 1 2023 POLICY ACTION PROBLEM STATEMENT: MAINES CURRENT UNCOORDINATED APPROACH TO BUILDING PLACES IS CAUSING REAL, UNINTENDED, AND SIGNIFICANT SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, FINANCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND CULTURAL CHALLENGES AND REQUIRES THE CREATION OF A COHESIVE APPROACH TO LAND DEVELOPMENT, REDEVELOPMENT, AND PLACEMAKING. POLICY ACTION 2023 IS A SET OF SIXTEEN PROPOSALS ALIGNED WITHIN EIGHT WORKING GROUPS, EACH OF WHICH PROVIDES A SINGLE STEPSOME INCREMENTAL, SOME QUITE SIGNIFICANTTOWARD THE SHARED GOAL DEVELOPED WITHIN THE POLICY ACTION 2023 PROCESS LAST SPRING: TO ADDRESS BARRIERS TO AND CREATE INCENTIVES FOR EQUITABLE, SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT THAT STRENGTHENS DOWNTOWNS AND VILLAGES OF ALL SIZES WHILE PULLING DEVELOPMENT PRESSURE AWAY FROM PRODUCTIVE AND OPEN NATURAL AREAS. WE DO SO ACKNOWLEDGING THAT MAINE HAS URBAN, RURAL, AND SUBURBAN SETTINGS FOR WHICH ANY SOLUTION MAY OR MAY NOT BE A FIT AND A VARIETY OF PEOPLE WHO DESERVE TO BE WELCOMED INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES. false true X 20122 19817 305 34000 34000 34305 MOVING MAINE NETWORK RESERVES 65003 MAINE BROADBAND COALITION 16374 MAINERS FOR SMARTER TRANSPRT 8049 ACCRUED PAYROLL 6710 PAYROLL LIABILITIES 513 CREDIT CARD PAYABLE 499 97148 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 2, PART IV, LINE 2B GROWSMART MAINE PRESENTLY HOLDS ESCROW ACCOUNTS FOR MOVING MAINE NETWORK, MAINE BROADBAND COALITION, AND MAINERS FOR SMARTER TRANSPORTATION. DONATIONS/FEES RECEIVED ARE DESIGNATED FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAM AND HELD IN A SEPARATE BANK ACCOUNT. TRANSFER OF FUNDS ARE RECORDED AS EACH PROGRAM SUBMITS SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION TO GROWSMART'S BOARD FOR RELEASE OF REVENUE. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A 1)ADVOCACY TO SUPPORT SMART GROWTH PRINCIPLES. GROWSMART MAINE ENGAGES IN ADVOCACY AT THE STATE LEVEL, HOSTING LOCAL AND REGIONAL ADVOCACY WITH STATEWIDE IMPACT, WHILE SUPPORTING FEDERAL INITIATIVES IN PARTNERSHIPS. IN FY 2024, GROWSMART CONVENED THE SECOND YEAR OF POLICY ACTION 2023, ENCOMPASSING THE CALENDAR YEARS OF 2023 AND 2024. CO-LEAD WITH BUILD MAINE, THE GOAL IS TO ADDRESS BARRIERS TO AND CREATE INCENTIVES FOR EQUITABLE, SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT THAT STRENGTHEN DOWNTOWNS AND VILLAGES OF ALL SIZES WHILE PULLING DEVELOPMENT PRESSURE AWAY FROM PRODUCTIVE AND OPEN NATURE AREAS. THROUGH CROWDSOURCING AND AN OPEN PROCESS, A CROSS- SECTOR OF INTERESTS AND ORGANIZATIONS COME TOGETHER TO ADVOCATE FOR SHARED POLICY PRIORITIES. SUCCESS IS MEASURED IN SUCCESSFUL LEGISLATION, BUT ALSO IN HOSTING NECESSARY AND DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS, AND BUILDING ADVOCACY CAPACITY WITH OUR ALLIES WHILE EXPANDING RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN OUR NETWORKS ACROSS THE STATE. POLICY ACTION 2025: WITH LESSONS LEARNED FROM POLICY ACTION 2023, WE HOSTED THREE PUBLIC MEETINGS IN SPRING 2024 TO DEVELOP PRIORITY ACTIONS FOR POLICY ACTION 2025, FOR THE 132ND LEGISLATURE WHICH WILL CONVENE IN 2025 AND 2026. PLANNING FOR AG IS OUR ADVOCACY THAT PRIORITIZES FARMLAND PROTECTION AND FARM VIABILITY AS ESSENTIAL SMART GROWTH OUTCOMES EQUAL TO AND DIRECTLY RELATED TO DIRECTING GROWTH TO WHERE DEVELOPMENT MAKES SENSE FOR THE LONG TERM. GROWSMART TRACKED FOURTEEN BILLS AND PROVIDED TESTIMONY ON NINE OF THESE PROPOSALS, INCLUDING THE SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET. FEDERAL ADVOCACY: GROWSMART'S CEO PARTICIPATED IN A MARCH 2024 WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING ON BUILDING A BETTER MAINE, HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPACT OF THE ARPA, BIL, AND IRA INVESTMENTS IN MAINE COMMUNITIES. AS A DOZEN MAINERS AND NEARLY A HUNDRED OTHER STATE-LEVEL LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE FOCUSED OUR COMMENTS ON INVESTMENTS IN TRANSPORTATION INCLUDING TRANSIT AND A WORKFORCE TRANSPORTATION PILOT, LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS AND AGRICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE, DIGITAL EQUITY, AND MUCH MORE, INCLUDING THE DOWNEAST MAINE NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B 2)PLANNING FOR AGRICULTURE IN OCTOBER 2022, GROWSMART MAINE ENTERED INTO A MULTI-YEAR "PLANNING FOR AG" PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST IN RESPONSE TO THE ALARMING RATE OF FARMLAND LOSS IN MAINE AND ACROSS AMERICA TO "LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT- OR SPRAWL. THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP, GROWSMART MAINE HELPS COMMUNITIES ADDRESS THE HOUSING CRISIS, WITHOUT UNDOING THE GOOD WORK TO ADDRESS THE CLIMATE CRISIS, AND WITHOUT CREATING THE NEXT CRISIS OF ACCESS TO FARMLAND AND FOOD. THE PARTNERSHIP HAS PROVIDED A FRAMEWORK TO BROADEN OUR PARTNERSHIPS, EXPAND OUR PORTFOLIO OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, AND STRENGTHEN OUR CAPACITY BY HIRING A PART-TIME PROFESSIONAL PLANNER. THREE AREAS OF WORK FALL UNDER "PLANNING FOR AG:" A.THE COMMUNITY RESILIENCE PARTNERSHIP GROWSMART MAINE IS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE COMMUNITY RESILIENCE PARTNERSHIP. THE PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR POLICY INNOVATION AND THE FUTURE AS A PART OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MAINE WON'T WAIT MAINE'S FOUR-YEAR CLIMATE ACTION PLAN. GROWSMART MAINE SUPPORTS MUNICIPALITIES TO ENROLL IN THE PROGRAM AND APPLY FOR FUNDING THROUGH THE COMMUNITY ACTION GRANT. WE SECURED GRANTS TO HELP ENROLL FOUR RURAL TOWNS IN CENTRAL MAINE - MOUNT VERNON, ROME, VIENNA, AND WAYNE - FACILITATING COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF LOCAL CHALLENGES AND PRIORITY ACTIONS. B.THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED WITHIN MAINE'S DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADDITIONAL HOUSING UNITS IN THE STATE. GROWSMART MAINE RECEIVED A GRANT THROUGH THE PROGRAM AND HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE TOWN OF BOWDOINHAM TO UPDATE ITS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WITH A FOCUS ON HOUSING, AGRICULTURE, AND FUTURE LAND USE. GROWSMART MAINE PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO REVISE LAND USE ORDINANCES. WHILE THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGES DID NOT PASS AT THIS STAGE, THE UPDATED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WAS ADOPTED BY THE TOWN MEETING. WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN. IN ADDITION, A SERIES OF STATEWIDE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS WERE DEVELOPED AS A PART OF THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM. THIS INCLUDES WEBINARS ON ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS; SHORT TERM RENTALS; FARMING AND HOUSING; AND THE PUBLISHING OF SEVERAL COMMUNITY GUIDES. C.BUILDING COMMUNITY STRENGTH WITH FUNDING FROM USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST, THE THREE-YEAR PROGRAM "BUILDING COMMUNITY STRENGTH" WAS LAUNCHED AT THE GROWSMART MAINE SUMMIT IN OCTOBER 2023. THE PROGRAM IS A RESPONSE TO THE INTERLINKED CHALLENGES FACING RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS MAINE. TRAINEES FROM TEN PARTICIPATING MUNICIPALITIES TACKLE ISSUES SUCH AS CLIMATE RESILIENCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, FARM VIABILITY AND FARMLAND PROTECTION, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. THE PROGRAM ALSO TRAINS PARTICIPANTS TO RESEARCH AND APPLY FOR STATE, FEDERAL, AND PRIVATE FUNDING. IN APRIL 2024, THE FIRST COHORT CONVENED FOR A MULTI-DAY WORKSHOP IN BANGOR. FOURTEEN TOWN MANAGERS, SELECT BOARD MEMBERS, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORS FROM PARTICIPATING TOWNS GATHERED TO NETWORK AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER. THEY MET WITH GROWSMART MAINE STAFF AND OTHER PARTNERS (INCLUDING SUNRISE COUNTY ECONOMIC COUNCIL, EASTERN MAINE DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION, NORTH STAR PLANNING, AND THE MUSSON GROUP) TO PARTICIPATE IN A SERIES OF SESSIONS FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY PLANNING. AT THE WORKSHOP, THE REPRESENTATIVES OF EACH COMMUNITY ALSO MET WITH STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS THROUGH A "SPEED-DATING" SESSION, GIVING THE COMMUNITY LEADERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO OUTLINE THEIR PRIORITIES IN ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATIONS. WHILE THE PROGRAM OFFERS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, FUNDING, AND TRAINING, A KEY COMPONENT IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF NETWORKS AMONG TOWNS. "I HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE DIFFERENT COMMUNITY LEADERS ON A RANGE OF TOPICS," SAID TIM ST. PETER OF PRESQUE ISLE. "IF I CAN LEARN FROM SOMEONE ELSE WHAT TO WATCH FOR AND AVOID, OR WHAT PROCESS WORKED FOR THEM AND BE ABLE TO APPLY IT TO OUR COMMUNITY, I THINK THAT IS A SUCCESS." THE TOWNS ENROLLED IN THE BUILDING COMMUNITY STRENGTH PROGRAM ARE SITUATED ACROSS THE STATE: CALAIS, DANFORTH, ENFIELD, HOULTON, MACHIAS, MEXICO, PRESQUE ISLE, ROQUE BLUFFS, SKOWHEGAN, AND VAN BUREN. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4C 3) KENNEBEC BROADBAND PARTNERSHIP THE SECOND YEAR OF THE KENNEBEC BROADBAND PARTNERSHIP BEGAN IN DECEMBER 2023. WE CONTINUED OUR WORK FROM YEAR 1 AND ADDED NEW PROGRAMS TO HELP BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN KENNEBEC COUNTY. THE KBP, FUNDED BY THE MAINE CONNECTIVITY AUTHORITY, THE STATE ENTITY RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE TO ALL AREAS OF MAINE, IS DEDICATED TO HELPING PEOPLE IN KENNEBEC COUNTY ACCESS BROADBAND AND DIGITAL LITERACY SKILLS. IN FY 2024 GROWSMART MAINE CONVENED A DIGITAL EQUITY WORKING GROUP TO GUIDE THE KENNEBEC BROADBAND PARTNERSHIP. THE GROUP IS COMPOSED OF INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING THE COVERED POPULATIONS THE PROGRAM SEEKS TO HELP. WITH THEIR GUIDANCE DURING THE DIGITAL EQUITY PLANNING PROCESS, THE COMMITTEE MET WEEKLY FOR 7 WEEKS TO COORDINATE OUTREACH. WE COMPLETED 47 SURVEYS, 46 INTERVIEWS, 1 COMMUNITY MEETING WITH 15 ATTENDEES, COLLABORATED WITH 9 ORGANIZATIONS, AND SUBMITTED A DIGITAL EQUITY PLAN FOR KENNEBEC COUNTY. THE KBP IMPLEMENTED AND PROVIDED FUNDING FOR FOUR PILOT PROJECTS FOCUSING ON DIGITAL EQUITY. THE PROJECTS INVOLVED ONE-ON-ONE TECH HELP AT DR. SHAW MEMORIAL LIBRARY IN MT. VERNON; AN ONSITE ACP ENROLLMENT DAY AT BRIDGING THE GAP IN AUGUSTA; A TECH HELP AND ACP ENROLLMENT PROGRAM WITH LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF KENNEBEC; AND HELPED ONE OLDER ADULT LIVING IN A HUD SENIOR APARTMENT IN HALLOWELL TO OBTAIN AND LEARN HOW TO USE A DESKTOP COMPUTER. THESE PILOT PROJECTS HELPED US TO UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE IN THE COVERED POPULATION AND HOW THEY WANTED TO RECEIVE TRAINING AND SERVICES FOR DIGITAL LITERACY. ALSO, DURING THIS TIME, CONCERTED OUTREACH WAS CONDUCTED WITH LIBRARIES, ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS, MULTIPLE NONPROFITS, MUNICIPALITIES, AND OTHER SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS TO INFORM THEM ABOUT THE ACP AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF LOW-COST DEVICES AND DIGITAL LITERACY CLASSES. MUCH OF THE OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND TABLING EVENTS CONDUCTED IN THE SECOND HALF OF 2023 WERE RELATED TO THE ACP AND HOW TO ENROLL. BY THE END OF 2023, GSM HELD IN-PERSON VISITS AND MEETINGS WITH ALL 18 LIBRARIES IN KENNEBEC COUNTY. BEGINNING THE SECOND YEAR OF THE KENNEBEC BROADBAND PARTNERSHIP, THE PROGRAM FUNDED A 20-HOUR-PER-WEEK DIGITAL NAVIGATOR FOR KENNEBEC COUNTY HIRED BY NDEC AND PAID FOR OUT OF GSM'S CONTRACT WITH THE MAINE CONNECTIVITY AUTHORITY. THE KBP PROGRAM DIRECTOR COORDINATES WITH THE DIGITAL NAVIGATOR TO SCHEDULE PRESENTATIONS, OUTREACH, AND TABLING EVENTS, MAKE INTRODUCTIONS, AND COORDINATE TECH AND COMPUTER HELP AT 15 NDEC ONSITE PARTNER LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. IN ADDITION, ONE-ON-ONE TECH HELP IS OFFERED AT ALMOST ONE-THIRD OF THE LIBRARIES IN THE COUNTY WITH SUPPORT FROM THE KBP. THE KBP ALSO INSTITUTED A STIPEND PROGRAM TO FUND DIGITAL EQUITY PROGRAMS IN KENNEBEC COUNTY. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 7A EACH MEMBER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO CAST ONE VOTE AT ANNUAL OR SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE CORPORATION FOR APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 7B THE ORGANIZATION HAS ONE CLASS OF MEMBERS, "REGULAR MEMBERS", AND THEY MAY BE WITHER INDIVIDUALS OR CORPORATIONS. EACH MEMBER MUST BE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE, AND SHALL HAVE AGREED TO TAKE AN ACTIVE INTEREST IN AND BE WILLING TO SUPPORT AND SERVE THE ORGANIZATION. ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS OR CORPORATIONS BECOME A MEMBER UPON PAYMENT OF THE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES AS SET BY DIRECTORS, AND SHALL CONTINUE AS A MEMBER UNTIL REMOVAL OR RESIGNATION. EACH MEMBER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO CAST ONE VOTE AT ANNUAL OR SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE CORPORATION FOR SUCH PURPOSES OR SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY BE PRESCRIBED FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE MEMBERS BY THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, THE BY-LAWS OF THE CORPORATION, AMENDMENTS THERETO, AND THE LAWS AND STATUTES OF THE STATE OF MAINE, AS FROM TIME TO TIME CONSTITUTED. MEMBERS SHALL NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO CUMULATE THEIR VOTES. SPECIFICALLY, THE MEMBERS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS: A) EXPANSION OR CONTRACTION OF THE SIZE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS; AMENDMENTS, MODIFICATION, OR RESTATEMENT OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION; DISSOLUTION, MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OF THE CORPORATION; ANY OTHER MATTERS WHICH A MAJORITY OF THE BOARD VOTING ON THE MATTER VOTES TO SUBMIT TO THE MEMBERS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B A COPY OF FORM 990 WAS PROVIDED TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PRESENT TO THE BOARD FOR REVIEW PRIOR TO THE FILING OF THE RETURN. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C AT THE FIRST MEETING OF EACH CALENDAR YEAR, EACH BOARD MEMBER SHALL REAQUAINT HIMSELF OR HERSELF WITH THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST SECTION OF THE CORPORATE BYLAWS AND SO INDICATE THIS BY SIGNING A BOARD DEVISED DOCUMENT INDICATING THIS AND CIRCULATED BY THE CHAIR AMONGST THE MEMBERS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A THE BOARD OBTAINS AND REVIEWS COMPARATIVE SALARY DATA IN ORDER TO DETERMINE COMPENSATION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION MAKES GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST.