Maine Department of Economic and Community Development

Maine Department of Economic and Community Development
Agency name	Maine Department of Economic and Community Development
Formed	1960s
Jurisdiction	State of Maine
Headquarters	Augusta, Maine
Chief1 position	Commissioner
Parent agency	State of Maine

Maine Department of Economic and Community Development is a state-level executive agency in Augusta, Maine responsible for business attraction, community revitalization, and housing policy across Maine; it interacts with federal entities such as the United States Department of Commerce, state bodies like the Maine Legislature, and regional partners including the New England Governors' Conference. The department coordinates with municipal governments in Portland, Maine, economic organizations such as the Greater Portland Council of Governments, and nonprofits including the Northern New England Development Association to implement programs that affect sectors from forestry industry to commercial fishing.

Overview

The department serves as a nexus between state policymakers in the Maine State House, regional planning bodies like the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments, and federal agencies such as the Economic Development Administration; it liaises with trade groups including the Maine Development Foundation, chambers of commerce such as the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, and research institutions like the University of Maine system. Its purview overlaps with regulatory and investment entities including the Maine Public Utilities Commission, financing partners like the Small Business Administration, and workforce organizations such as the Maine Department of Labor.

History

Tracing precedent to mid-20th century state offices that succeeded postwar planning efforts tied to the New Deal legacy, the agency evolved amid policy shifts influenced by events such as the 1973 oil crisis and economic transitions in Bangor, Maine and Lewiston, Maine. Legislative milestones in the Maine Legislature shaped its mandates alongside federal programs like the Community Development Block Grant; administrations from governors including Jock McKernan, Angus King, John Baldacci, Paul LePage, and Janet Mills have reoriented priorities among tourism promotion tied to Acadia National Park, manufacturing retention connected to Bath Iron Works, and innovation strategies aligned with the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership.

Organization and Leadership

The department is led by a commissioner appointed by the Governor of Maine and confirmed by the Maine Senate, supported by divisions that coordinate with entities like the Maine State Housing Authority, regional development corporations including the Aroostook Partnership and sector councils linked to institutions such as the Maine Technology Institute. Senior staff engage with boards and commissions including the Maine Economic Growth Council and advisory groups comprising representatives from Maine Medical Center, IDEXX Laboratories, L.L.Bean, and higher education partners like Bowdoin College and Bates College.

Programs and Services

Program portfolios include business financing instruments similar to Tax Increment Financing arrangements, technical assistance offered in coordination with the Small Business Development Center network and workforce training initiatives tied to Maine Community College System campuses. The department administers grant programs analogous to Historic Preservation Grants and resilience projects in collaboration with federal agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency and regional initiatives such as the Northern Border Regional Commission, while supporting tourism promotion with partners like the Maine Office of Tourism and event organizers for festivals in Bar Harbor and Kennebunkport.

Economic Development Initiatives

Initiatives target industry clusters including marine technology connected to Maine Maritime Academy, renewable energy projects involving developers linked to National Renewable Energy Laboratory and offshore wind proponents, and agricultural value-chain programs coordinating with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and cooperatives such as Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. Business attraction campaigns reference anchor employers like Idexx, shipbuilders such as Bath Iron Works, and logistics hubs that interact with ports like Port of Portland; public–private collaborations mirror models employed by the Economic Development Administration and regional analogous efforts in Vermont and New Hampshire.

Community Development and Housing

Community development work centers on downtown revitalization in municipalities such as Lewiston and Biddeford, brownfield remediation projects like those funded through the Environmental Protection Agency, and affordable housing programs administered with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and state partners including the Maine State Housing Authority. The department supports transit-oriented development linked to agencies like the Maine Turnpike Authority and regional public transit providers, and coordinates resilience planning with entities such as the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and coastal management efforts associated with NOAA.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding streams comprise state appropriations from the Maine Legislature, federal grants from programs administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, capital investments involving the Maine Bond Bank, and philanthropic contributions from foundations such as the John T. Gorman Foundation and Maine Community Foundation. The agency forms partnerships with economic development districts like the Penobscot Valley Council, workforce entities including Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, and research collaborations with institutions such as the Maine Technology Institute and the Jackson Laboratory.

Category:State agencies of Maine Category:Economic development agencies in the United States