AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval Thursday to a bill that would establish a municipal grant program to promote sustainable economic development driven by local leaders.
LD 857, sponsored by Rep. Kyle Bailey, D-Gorham, would establish a fund to provide competitive grants for cities and towns for projects that further the goals outlined in Maine's 10-year economic development plan.
The 10-year plan sets out to grow the average annual wage by 10%, increase the value of what is sold per worker by 10% and to attract 75,000 people to Maine's workforce.
As amended, this bill would utilize federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan to support the creation of a municipal grant program without diverting funds from other state sources.
"Change comes from the bottom up, and not the top down," said Bailey. "To recover from the global pandemic and recession, respond to climate and addiction crises, reckon with centuries of injustice and ensure that we make our state an even better place to earn a living and raise a family, we must make smart and strategic investments and incentivize innovation at the local level."
The measure now faces votes in Senate.
Bailey is serving his first term in the Maine House and represents part of Gorham and part of Scarborough. He is a member of the Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Bailey], c. 812-1111