Community Development

Local and Regional Comprehensive Planning

We assist communities with the development of comprehensive plans, a tool for municipalities to gather ideas about the future of their community and to formulate actions to achieve that vision. A comprehensive plan addresses issues of land use, government administration, capital improvement, and economic development. To secure certain state grants, municipalities must have a locally-adopted and state-deemed consistent comprehensive plan. The plan provides communities with direction that municipal officials can follow to ensure proper growth and development.

Economic Development Planning

Our regional approach to economic development planning takes stock of assets across Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, and Waldo Counties, and makes plans for the future that are locally-driven.

The US Economic Development Administration designated EMDC to be responsible for the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), which engages community leaders and representatives of the private sector to create a holistic plan for our region.

Expanding Broadband Capacity

We work with communities to increase access to broadband in Eastern Maine. While fiber and other telecom technology infrastructure exists in parts of the region, more availability, increased speeds, and adoption for small businesses, entrepreneurs, communities, and residents is needed. EMDC partners with providers to map current assets and plan for expanded capacity, including securing funds for the planning and implementation process.

Revitalizing Existing Properties

Through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields program, EMDC works with communities to clean up and reinvest in properties that may pose a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant risk. By completing assessments and cleaning up these Brownfields, communities reinvest in these properties, leading to further revitalization.

Technical Assistance

We serve as a resource, providing information on: subdivisions, land use, comprehensive planning, and business growth strategies.

Transportation Planning

State and federal funding can be leveraged to revive our systems and provide reliable transportation to our communities. We offer strategic services to help you plan transportation upgrades, including:

• Providing traffic counts and crash data
• Serving as a liaison between a town and the Maine DOT
• Assessing of the physical safety of roadways
• Coordinating public outreach surveys and events