Legislative Changes Fact Sheets:

The First Session of the 132nd Maine State Legislature adjourned in June. As with other recent sessions, we have seen an increase in land use and planning related legislation that has implications for local zoning and regulations.

KVCOG’s counterparts at the Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (SMPDC) created the following fact sheets to detail some of the major changes in legislation over the 132nd Legislature's first session.

Key Legislative Changes

Below are three new laws enacted in this most recent legislative session that have direct impacts on local zoning ordinances.

• L.D. 1829 An Act to Build Housing for Maine Families and Attract Workers to Maine Businesses by Amending the Laws Governing Housing Density
  • This "omnibus" bill includes several requirements regarding housing density allowances, accessory dwelling units, growth caps, and more. It requires that municipalities bring their local ordinances into compliance by deadlines dependent on your form of government. 
• L.D. 427 An Act to Regulate Municipal Parking Space Minimums
  • This new statute limits municipal parking requirements to one spot per dwelling unit. 
• L.D. 997 An Act to Allow Residential Use Development in Commercial Districts
  • As its title suggests, this bill requires ordinances to allow residential use in areas currently zoned for commercial use. 

As some of these are more complicated than others, they are broken down with major changes detailed in the factsheets below.

• Understanding LD1829
• Understanding LD997
• Understanding LD427

SMPDC also held an informational webinar with the following presentation slides. The webinar was recorded, and a link is also below.

• Planning Legislation: LD1829 & More, Presentation Slides

If anyone has any questions, please reach out to any of KVCOG’s planning team.

Do you have questions about the about the
Kennebec River Dams and the Next Steps?
Click here for the Nature Conservancy Fact Sheet 

Ready to take your business to the next level?

KVCOG offers Business Financing to fuel growth and economic development in our region.

What makes KVCOG different? We are a public lender—not profit-driven like conventional lenders—and we lend to promote the common good. This means we can often set lower interest rates, offer longer terms, and accept higher risk than traditional lenders.

Quick Program Details

• Loan Amounts: Up to $350,000.
• Eligible Location: Your business must be in Kennebec, Somerset, or Western Waldo Counties.
• Use of Funds: Funds can cover essential needs like:
  • Real Estate Acquisition and Building Improvements.
  • Equipment, Inventory & Supplies, and Furniture & Fixtures.
  • Start-up Operating Costs and Working Capital.
  • Debt Refinancing.
• Key Requirement: Your project must be unable to be financed through traditional funding sources or other Federal, State, or local programs.

Are you eligible?

We look for several elements when considering a loan request, including:

• A written business plan.
• Good character and management capability.
• Collateral sufficient to secure the loan.
• Reasonable assurance that earnings will be sufficient to pay all obligations.

If your business is located in Kennebec, Somerset, or Western Waldo Counties and you need financing that traditional sources can't provide, reach out to us today!

Click HERE for more details and to access our application.

You can contact Maggie Camden, RLF Loan Specialist, at 207-453-4258 ext. 221 or email or to learn more or to obtain a loan application.

Interested in being part of the Community Emergency Response Team? 

To register or ask questions, email or call 207-453-7911

Welcoming New Faces and Honoring a Legacy of Service on the KVCOG Board

This month, we are celebrating new leadership and honoring a tremendous legacy of service on our Board of Directors.

Please join us in extending a heartfelt thank you to Dana Wrigley, who is stepping down from the board after nearly 15 years of service to KVCOG. His dedication and wisdom have been invaluable to our organization, and we wish him all the best.

As we say farewell, we are thrilled to welcome three new members who bring a wealth of experience. We welcome Kelley Pinney-Michaud, Town Manager of Oakland, who will be succeeding Dana. We are also delighted to have Matt Nazar of Augusta and Christopher Lucey of Unity join us.

Following the General Assembly vote on September 16, a new Executive Committee was also established. With our 16-member board now complete, we are energized and ready to continue our work across the region.

Check out our FY25 Annual Report

HERE

KVCOG HAS FUNDING TO ASSIST OUR REGION THROUGH EPA BROWNFIELDS PROGRAM

Click here to learn more about our Brownfields Assessment and Remediation Programs. 

It's time to plan your visit to the Kennebec Valley!
Thanks to the Kennebec Valley Explorer/Visit Kennebec Valley for producing this amazing video.

See more of this content and plan your trip to the Kennebec Valley on their website.

Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) is a private, non-profit organization established in 1967. KVCOG is a membership organization and is owned and operated for the benefit of its members.  The Council of Governments is enabled by state statue. The office is located in Fairfield, Maine and serves Kennebec, Somerset and western Waldo Counties.

KVCOG provides a coordinated approach for planning and economic development at the local and regional level.  KVCOG has been a leader in economic development, environmental, land use and transportation planning with a wide array of professional talent among staff for the past 50 years.

The Kennebec Valley region is connected by the Kennebec River. It covers 62 municipalities, several unorganized territories and 5,251 square miles with a population of approximately 182,000.  It includes the state capital of Augusta as well as other cities including Waterville, Gardiner and Hallowell and many rural towns. Municipal population ranges from 42 to 18,972.