2026-02-27T11:26:41-05:00 2025-06-30 010522395 SMITH & ASSOCIATES CPAS 500 US ROUTE 1 STE 102 YARMOUTH ME 040966817 990 2024-07-01 810620660 GROWSMART MAINE GROW 2075824330 227 WATER STREET SUITE 215 AUGUSTA ME 043304651 NANCY E SMITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 2072500220 2026-01-22 true true LORI L ALIBERTI EA P00328190 2078468881 2026-01-22 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z NANCY E SMITH SAME AS C ABOVE AUGUSTA ME 043304651 727830 false X WWW.GROWSMARTMAINE.ORG X 2003 ME TO BUILD LASTING PROSPERITY WITHOUT SACRIFICING THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT DEFINES MAINE. 16 16 7 38 0 213048 351280 300060 374863 607 1687 0 513715 727830 0 0 358040 439433 0 23179 213022 244871 571062 684304 -57347 43526 400884 363714 269625 188928 131259 174786 X TO BUILD LASTING PROSPERITY WITHOUT SACRIFICING THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT DEFINES MAINE. false false 350297 52790 1) ADVOCACY TO SUPPORT SMART GROWTH PRINCIPLES. GROWSMART MAINE ENGAGES IN ADVOCACY AT THE STATE LEVEL, AS WELL AS LOCAL AND REGIONAL ADVOCACY WITH STATEWIDE IMPACT, WHILE SUPPORTING FEDERAL INITIATIVES THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS. IN FY 2025, GROWSMART CONVENED THE FIRST YEAR OF POLICY ACTION 2025, FOR THE CALENDAR YEARS OF 2025 AND 2026. CO-LED 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 AND PROVIDE INFORMATION 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. GROWSMART MAINE ADVOCATED FOR 14 BILLS AND PROVIDED TESTIMONY ON 9 BILLS RELATED TO FARMLAND PROTECTION AND FARM VIABILITY, RELATING TO SMART GROWTH PRINCIPLES. 61259 99688 2) PLANNING FOR AGRICULTURE THE THIRD YEAR OF OUR MULTI-YEAR "PLANNING FOR AG" PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST CONTINUES TO RESPOND TO THE ALARMING RATE OF FARMLAND LOSS IN MAINE TO "LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT- OR SPRAWL. GROWSMART MAINE HELPS COMMUNITIES THROUGH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO 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 DOWNEAST FOOD SYSTEMS PARTNERSHIP PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR DEVELOPING JOINT GOALS AND PLANS, CONDUCTING OUTREACH TO FARMING COMMUNITIES, COORDINATING WITH RELEVANT ACTORS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE REGION, AND ACCESSING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTING PROJECTS THAT PROMOTE AN INCLUSIVE, INNOVATIVE, AND MORE INTEGRATED FOOD SYSTEM IN THE DOWNEAST REGION. 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 HAS ENROLLED EIGHT MUNICIPALITIES IN THE PROGRAM (MOUNT VERNON, ROME, VIENNA, AND WAYNE, LEEDS, HOULTON, PRESQUE ISLE, AND MEXICO), FACILITATED COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS IN EACH OF THESE TOWNS TO PRIORITIZE COMMUNITY NEEDS, AND HELPED THEM APPLY FOR FUNDING FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCY PROJECTS THROUGH THE COMMUNITY ACTION GRANT. B.THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM IN THE SECOND YEAR OF THIS PROGRAM, GROWSMART MAINE LAUNCHED TWO PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE AROOSTOOK HOUSING INITIATIVE AND HOUSING FORWARD COMMUNITIES. BOTH THESE PROGRAMS WORK WITH SELECTED TOWNS TO ADDRESS MAINE'S URGENT HOUSING NEEDS. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAMS IS FOR THE TOWNS TO BECOME PROACTIVE IN ADDRESSING HOUSING CONCERNS, PROMOTE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND EMPOWER RESIDENTS WITH INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF MUNICIPALITIES TO ADDRESS HOUSING CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS. C.BUILDING COMMUNITY STRENGTH GROWSMART ENGAGES WITH 10 RURAL TOWNS IN THE SECOND YEAR OF BUILDING COMMUNITY STRENGTH. WITH FUNDING FROM USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST, THE THREE-YEAR PROGRAM "BUILDING COMMUNITY STRENGTH" 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. THIS PAST YEAR, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TEN PARTICIPATING TOWNS TWICE MET IN PERSON FOR MULTI-DAY WORKSHOPS IN MACHIAS AND SKOWHEGAN. 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. 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. 84921 222385 3) KENNEBEC BROADBAND PARTNERSHIP THE KBP, FUNDED THROUGH 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. THE THIRD YEAR OF THE KENNEBEC BROADBAND PARTNERSHIP (KBP) BEGAN IN DECEMBER 2024. GROWSMART PROVIDED FUNDS FOR ONE-ON-ONE TECH HELP IN LIBRARIES ACROSS THE COUNTY, THE DISTRIBUTION OF FREE DEVICES, AND HELPED PEOPLE STAY SAFE ONLINE. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, THE KBP PROVIDED 26,000 IN STIPENDS TO 7 ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY, TECH HELP, AND DEVICE PROCUREMENT, AND PROVIDED 47 DEVICES AT NO COST TO ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS. WE PARTNERED WITH LIBRARIES AND NONPROFITS TO PROVIDE DIGITAL NAVIGATOR SERVICES IN KENNEBEC COUNTY THROUGH MARCH 2025, SERVING HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE. THE KBP HELD 11 FRAUD AND SCAM PREVENTION PRESENTATIONS SERVING 131 ATTENDEES. 496477 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 8 0 true 7 true false false false false false false false false false false false false false X 16 16 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 42.90 X 95840 0 0 FINN BONDESON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JON BOYNTON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TONY CARTER DIRECTOR 1.00 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 DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ELIZABETH FRAZIER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHRISTINE GRIMANDO DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DANIEL HILDRETH EMERITUS X 0 0 0 LARISSA HOLLAND DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ERIC HOWARD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JEFF LEVINE BOARD CHAIR 2.00 X 0 0 0 ZOE MILLER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DANIELLE MORIARITY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LAUREN OLSON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 EVAN RICHERT EMERITUS X 0 0 0 LYNNE SEELEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ANNA MARIE THRON EMERITUS X 0 0 0 DAVID WEBSTER EMERITUS X 0 0 0 GALEN WEIBLEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 95840 false false false 72798 149419 129063 351280 KBP FEE FOR SERVICE 900099 222385 222385 PLANNING FOR AG FEE FOR SVC 900099 99688 99688 GENERAL FEE FOR SERVICE 900099 34160 34160 FISCAL FEES 900099 12224 12224 SUMMIT/FORUM REGISTRATIONS 900099 4878 4878 1528 1528 374863 1687 1687 727830 374863 1687 95840 65754 23107 6979 258314 195952 50312 12050 7611 5624 1578 409 49240 36386 10208 2646 28428 28428 20304 20304 9527 9527 57273 57273 17289 5998 11186 105 4563 1346 2407 810 9600 9600 27379 26692 507 180 25736 23059 2677 306 306 4028 4028 PROGRAM COSTS 68866 68866 684304 496477 164648 23179 22009 40935 169665 182278 173655 105000 54122 20122 34305 34000 1250 1501 400884 363714 32342 17363 140135 112000 97148 59565 269625 188928 X 97259 140786 34000 34000 131259 174786 400884 363714 X 43526 1 X false false false X 193632 168462 255777 213048 351280 1182199 21587 54985 225847 300060 374863 977342 215219 223447 481624 513108 726143 2159541 15000 17500 35000 45000 45000 157500 15000 17500 35000 45000 45000 157500 2002041 64 31 401 607 1687 2790 64 31 401 607 1687 2790 215283 223478 482025 513715 727830 2162331 0.92590 0.90800 0.00000 0.00000 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED true true false false false true 750 true 8216 true 187 true 375 9528 false SCHEDULE C, PART II-B, LINE 1 IN FY 2025, GROWSMART CONVENED THE FIRST YEAR OF POLICY ACTION 2025, FOR THE CALENDAR YEARS OF 2025 AND 2026. CO-LED 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 AND PROVIDE INFORMATION 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. GROWSMART MAINE ADVOCATED FOR 14 BILLS AND PROVIDED TESTIMONY ON 9 BILLS RELATED TO FARMLAND PROTECTION AND FARM VIABILITY, RELATING TO SMART GROWTH PRINCIPLES. false true X 20122 20122 34000 34000 34000 MAINE BROADBAND COALITION 36530 ACCRUED PAYROLL 9021 MOVING MAINE NETWORK RESERVES 5263 MAINERS FOR SMARTER TRANSPRT 4825 CREDIT CARD PAYABLE 2404 MAINE ZONING ATLAS 1522 59565 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 2, PART IV, LINE 2B GROWSMART MAINE PRESENTLY HOLDS ESCROW ACCOUNTS FOR MOVING MAINE NETWORK, MAINE BROADBAND COALITION, MAINERS FOR SMARTER TRANSPORTATION, AND MAINE ZONING ATLAS. 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, AS WELL AS LOCAL AND REGIONAL ADVOCACY WITH STATEWIDE IMPACT, WHILE SUPPORTING FEDERAL INITIATIVES THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS. IN FY 2025, GROWSMART CONVENED THE FIRST YEAR OF POLICY ACTION 2025, FOR THE CALENDAR YEARS OF 2025 AND 2026. CO-LED 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 AND PROVIDE INFORMATION 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. GROWSMART MAINE ADVOCATED FOR 14 BILLS AND PROVIDED TESTIMONY ON 9 BILLS RELATED TO FARMLAND PROTECTION AND FARM VIABILITY, RELATING TO SMART GROWTH PRINCIPLES. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B 2) PLANNING FOR AGRICULTURE THE THIRD YEAR OF OUR MULTI-YEAR "PLANNING FOR AG" PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST CONTINUES TO RESPOND TO THE ALARMING RATE OF FARMLAND LOSS IN MAINE TO "LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT- OR SPRAWL. GROWSMART MAINE HELPS COMMUNITIES THROUGH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO 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 DOWNEAST FOOD SYSTEMS PARTNERSHIP PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR DEVELOPING JOINT GOALS AND PLANS, CONDUCTING OUTREACH TO FARMING COMMUNITIES, COORDINATING WITH RELEVANT ACTORS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE REGION, AND ACCESSING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTING PROJECTS THAT PROMOTE AN INCLUSIVE, INNOVATIVE, AND MORE INTEGRATED FOOD SYSTEM IN THE DOWNEAST REGION. 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 HAS ENROLLED EIGHT MUNICIPALITIES IN THE PROGRAM (MOUNT VERNON, ROME, VIENNA, AND WAYNE, LEEDS, HOULTON, PRESQUE ISLE, AND MEXICO), FACILITATED COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS IN EACH OF THESE TOWNS TO PRIORITIZE COMMUNITY NEEDS, AND HELPED THEM APPLY FOR FUNDING FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCY PROJECTS THROUGH THE COMMUNITY ACTION GRANT. B.THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM IN THE SECOND YEAR OF THIS PROGRAM, GROWSMART MAINE LAUNCHED TWO PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE AROOSTOOK HOUSING INITIATIVE AND HOUSING FORWARD COMMUNITIES. BOTH THESE PROGRAMS WORK WITH SELECTED TOWNS TO ADDRESS MAINE'S URGENT HOUSING NEEDS. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAMS IS FOR THE TOWNS TO BECOME PROACTIVE IN ADDRESSING HOUSING CONCERNS, PROMOTE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND EMPOWER RESIDENTS WITH INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF MUNICIPALITIES TO ADDRESS HOUSING CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS. C.BUILDING COMMUNITY STRENGTH GROWSMART ENGAGES WITH 10 RURAL TOWNS IN THE SECOND YEAR OF BUILDING COMMUNITY STRENGTH. WITH FUNDING FROM USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST, THE THREE-YEAR PROGRAM "BUILDING COMMUNITY STRENGTH" 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. THIS PAST YEAR, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TEN PARTICIPATING TOWNS TWICE MET IN PERSON FOR MULTI-DAY WORKSHOPS IN MACHIAS AND SKOWHEGAN. 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. 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 KBP, FUNDED THROUGH 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. THE THIRD YEAR OF THE KENNEBEC BROADBAND PARTNERSHIP (KBP) BEGAN IN DECEMBER 2024. GROWSMART PROVIDED FUNDS FOR ONE-ON-ONE TECH HELP IN LIBRARIES ACROSS THE COUNTY, THE DISTRIBUTION OF FREE DEVICES, AND HELPED PEOPLE STAY SAFE ONLINE. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, THE KBP PROVIDED 26,000 IN STIPENDS TO 7 ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY, TECH HELP, AND DEVICE PROCUREMENT, AND PROVIDED 47 DEVICES AT NO COST TO ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS. WE PARTNERED WITH LIBRARIES AND NONPROFITS TO PROVIDE DIGITAL NAVIGATOR SERVICES IN KENNEBEC COUNTY THROUGH MARCH 2025, SERVING HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE. THE KBP HELD 11 FRAUD AND SCAM PREVENTION PRESENTATIONS SERVING 131 ATTENDEES. 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. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9 BOOK / TAX DEPRECIATION DIFFERENCE 1