Title 5, Title 5

The department shall have the duties and responsibilities to: [PL 1987, c. 534, Pt. A, §§17, 19 (NEW).] 1. Implement policies and programs. Implement economic development policies and programs in compliance with the state economic development strategy; 2. Work with other organiza…

1. Program established; administration. The Communities for Maine's Future Program, referred to in this section as "the program," is established within the department to assist and encourage communities to revitalize and to promote community development and enhance projects. The …

1. Application for downtown improvement or asset grants. In addition to the other forms of financial assistance available, an eligible municipality or group of municipalities may apply for a downtown and community development grant from the Communities for Maine's Future Fund est…

1. Fund established; administration. The Historic Preservation Revolving Fund, referred to in this section as "the revolving fund," is established within the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, referred to in this section as "the commission," in order to provide funds to qual…

The Maine Coworking Development Fund is established within the department to strengthen opportunities for entrepreneurship, stimulate innovation in the State by increasing the availability of collaborative workspace environments and address a regional market demand for affordable…

The Maine Economic Development Fund is established as a nonlapsing fund within the department to encourage and support economic and business growth, rural manufacturing and industrial site redevelopment and implementation of a strategic plan.

1. Program established. The Rural Workforce Recruitment and Retention Grant Program, referred to in this section as "the program," is established within the department to provide grants for local economic development initiatives in rural regions of the State that will assist rura…

1. Fund established; purpose. The Active Duty Military Transition to Civilian Life Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established within the department as an Other Special Revenue Funds account for the purpose of receiving funds for the program. 2. Program establ…

The commissioner shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over economic development matters and legislation and to confirmation by the Legislature. The commissioner shall serve at the pleasure of …

The department shall be administered by the commissioner. The commissioner shall have the following powers and duties. [PL 1987, c. 534, Pt. A, §§17, 19 (NEW).] 1. Employ and remove staff. The commissioner shall employ and remove staff of the department. Persons employed in major…

All state agencies and any other organizations designated by the department to implement community and economic development programs and policies shall cooperate with and expeditiously respond to requests of the department.

The commissioner shall establish the Office of Business Development. This office shall encourage the initiation, expansion and location of businesses in Maine which would expand quality employment opportunities for Maine citizens. [PL 1987, c. 534, Pt. A, §§ 17, 19 (NEW).] The Of…

The Director of the Office of Business Development shall administer the office in accordance with the policies of the commissioner and the provisions of this chapter, emphasizing a program of targeted business development designed to attract particular types of businesses that ha…

The director shall establish and implement pursuant to this section the Business Ombudsman Program, referred to in this section as "the program," and the director shall serve as the ombudsman for the program. The program is established to: resolve problems encountered by business…

1. Establishment. The Job Retention Program is established within the Department of Economic and Community Development to encourage the retention of existing quality jobs in this State. Funds available in this program do not lapse but must be carried forward, except as provided i…

The commissioner shall authorize grants to municipalities for the purpose of assisting those municipalities to retain mature or dominant employers, as defined in rules adopted by the commissioner, especially manufacturing firms presently located in the State. In awarding grants u…

As used in this article, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2001, c. 471, Pt. A, §7 (NEW).] 1. Community-based organization. "Community-based organization" means a nonprofit organization that has: A. A viable plan for prov…

1. Fund established. The Maine Microenterprise Initiative Fund is established as a nonlapsing fund administered by the department. The fund consists of money appropriated to it by the Legislature from the General Fund and eligible investment earnings from fund assets. The fund mu…

1. Process established. The department shall adopt rules establishing an application process for fund grants for the purposes set forth in section 13063‑K, subsection 2. In establishing the application process, the department shall consult with business experts involved with micr…

The department shall adopt rules necessary to carry out this article. Rules adopted pursuant to this article are routine technical rules as defined in chapter 375, subchapter II‑A.

The department shall submit to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over business and economic development matters an update on the fund by January 1, 2001 and every year thereafter.

1. Accounting and reporting requirements. The department shall: A. Maintain an accurate accounting of the use of all program funds as required by state procedures and program guidelines, including a detailed accounting of all program funding sources and expenditures; and [PL 2009…

1. Appointment. The Governor shall appoint a full-time International Trade Director, subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over business and economic development matters and confirmation by the Legislature, who shall serve at the…

1. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. [PL 2001, c. 481, §2 (RP).] B. [PL 2017, c. 264, §8 (RP).] C. [PL 2017, c. 264, §8 (RP).] D. "Economic development incentive" means federal and sta…

If the commissioner enters into a contractual relationship with a business regarding the provision of an economic development incentive in return for the business's agreement to locate, expand or retain its facilities in the State, that contract must contain a statement of the St…

1. Criteria. An economic development proposal must: A. Have a program name that accurately describes the nature of the program; [PL 1999, c. 768, §5 (NEW).] B. Have specific stated objectives, such as the number of jobs to be created or retained, the wage levels and benefits asso…

1. Conduct evaluation. By February 1, 2021, and every 4 years thereafter, the commissioner shall submit a comprehensive evaluation of state economic development investments, referred to in this section as "the evaluation," not to include programs subjected to independent evaluati…

1. Fund established. The Maine Economic Development Evaluation Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established as a nonlapsing Other Special Revenue Funds account administered by the department for the purposes of funding the comprehensive economic development inv…

The Legislature finds that the strength of the State's economy is based on the strength of the local economies of municipalities and their ability to adjust to the dramatic changes in the national and international economies. The Legislature also recognizes the need for the coord…

The Office of Community Development shall assist municipalities in planning for and achieving economic growth and development while, at the same time, preserving and protecting their resources and assets. To achieve this purpose, the department, through the office, shall strive t…

The director shall implement the Community Development Block Grant Program pursuant to the United States Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Title 1, and its subsequent amendments. For purposes of this section, "program" means the Community Development Block Grant Prog…

The Director of the Office of Community Development shall administer the Regional Economic Development Assistance Fund, referred to in this section as the "fund." [PL 2003, c. 198, §4 (AMD).] 1. Fund established. The fund is established as a nonlapsing fund within the Office of C…

1. Establishment. The Maine Downtown Center, referred to in this section as "the center," is established to encourage downtown revitalization in the State. 2. Purpose. The center serves the following functions: A. To advocate for downtown revitalization; [PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. JJ,…

The Municipal Grant Fund is established as a nonlapsing fund within the Office of Community Development. The Director of the Office of Community Development shall administer the Municipal Grant Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund." The fund may receive appropriations, …

The Loring Development Authority of Maine is established as a body corporate and politic and a public instrumentality of the State to carry out the provisions of this article and shall take title, acquire and manage the properties within the geographical boundaries of Loring Air …

As used in this article, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1993, c. 474, §1 (NEW).] 1. Authority. "Authority" means the Loring Development Authority of Maine. 2. Base area. "Base area" means the area within the geographic…

1. Powers. The authority is a public municipal corporation and may: A. Sue and be sued; [PL 1993, c. 474, §1 (NEW).] B. Adopt bylaws or regulations consistent with this article for the governance of its affairs; [PL 1993, c. 474, §1 (NEW).] C. Exercise all of the general powers o…

1. Use of revenue. Operating revenue generated from property transferred in the Federal Aviation Administration public benefit transfer or otherwise generated by the airport must be used to support the development, maintenance and operation of aeronautical facilities, operating c…

The authority shall hold and acquire property as follows. [PL 1993, c. 474, §1 (NEW).] 1. Lease or sale. Properties may be leased or sold to accomplish the readjustment or reuse of the facilities as determined appropriate by the authority. Resources acquired as a result of the le…

The authority may form special utility districts and provide municipal utility services within its jurisdiction. The board of trustees of the authority has the authority of a municipal legislative body for these purposes. [PL 1993, c. 474, §1 (NEW).] 1. Sewer services. The author…

1. Traffic ordinances. The authority has the power to enact traffic ordinances and regulate the operation of motor vehicles under Title 30‑A, section 3009, to the extent that power is not inconsistent with other validly enacted municipal ordinances. 2. Operating expenses. The aut…

1. Hearing required. The authority may issue bonds to finance its activities only after giving notice of the proposed issuance at least twice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county and holding a duly advertised public hearing on the issuance. 1-A. Credit of State ple…

1. Acquisition of interest. An official, trustee or employee of the authority may not acquire or hold a direct or an indirect financial or personal interest in: A. An authority activity; [PL 1993, c. 474, §1 (NEW).] B. Property included or planned to be included in the base area;…

1. Property exempt from execution. The property, including funds, of the authority is exempt from levy and sale by virtue of an execution. An execution or other judicial process may not be issued against the authority's property and a judgment against the authority may not be a c…

1. Port of entry. The authority may apply to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States for the purpose of having Loring Air Force Base or a portion of the base designated, established or constituted as a port of entry or an international airport pursuant to the Customs R…

The authority is not dissolved until: [PL 1993, c. 474, §1 (NEW).] 1. Legislature provides for termination. It is terminated by the Legislature; and 2. Payment of bonds, premiums and interest. The bonds, premium, if any, and interest have been paid or a sufficient amount for the …