What's New at MMA

Apply for a Summer Municipal Intern and MMA Intern Grant by March 3

Friday, January 26, 2024

Towns and cities wanting to host an intern this summer through the Maine Government Summer Internship Program can submit their applications beginning February 1 with a due date of March 3. To learn more about the internship program and apply, visit the program’s website or view the recording of an informational webinar held on January by program and MMA staff. MMA is also pleased to offer four $3,500 grants to municipalities that host an intern through the program this summer. More...


Help for Coastal Communities

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

It's almost impossible to gauge the full extent of the repercussions from the storms that hit Maine's coast on 1/10 and 1/13. The destruction was quick, but the rebuilding of the working waterfront will likely take years. The construction of new wharves is hindered by the high cost and scarcity of necessary supplies. Additionally, various industries, including construction and surveying, are grappling with a shortage of labor. The impact on Maine's working waterfront is currently...


Grant Writing Training in Portland - January 22 & 23

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Portland Police Department and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grant writing workshop in Portland on January 22 & 23, 2024.  This training is for grant seekers across all disciplines. Beginning and experienced grant writers from city, county and state agencies as well as healthcare organizations, nonprofits, K-12, colleges and universities are encouraged to attend. Tuition is $495; however, Maine Municipal Association members and their staff will receive a...


Siting Solar Installations on Farmlands

Friday, January 5, 2024

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Energy will host a series of online listening sessions in January about the siting of solar installations on agricultural land and are interesting in hearing from Maine stakeholders about the benefits and challenges posed by the development of clean energy sites in rural communities to help inform future decisions.  There are four online sessions scheduled, as well as an email address to submit written comments: Government...


Maine Sheriff’s Association Annual Conference - March 20-21, 2024

Thursday, January 4, 2024

The Maine Sheriff’s Association Annual Training Conference, Vendor Show and Awards Banquet will be held March 20-21, 2024, at the Samoset Resort, Rockport. Not exclusive to law enforcement, the conference is open to all municipal leaders and will feature a nearly two-day leadership training opportunity with Echelon Front.  The cost of participation in the training portion of the conference has been reduced and includes a special incentive for multiple registrations. Information on...


Conversation on Antisemitism – December 19

Thursday, December 14, 2023

On Tuesday, December 19th at 6:00 the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine will offer a community conversation on antisemitism. The zoom gathering will begin with a 45 minute presentation on the history of antisemitism from Education Coordinator Erica Nadelhaft; she will then open it up to questions and conversation. The gathering will focus on people's personal experiences, not politics. We would like to hear about what you are seeing and experiencing in your daily lives during...


New Grant Opportunities

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

The Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future is excited to announce the opening of three grant opportunities for municipal and tribal governments and unorganized territories through the Community Resilience Partnership. Visit the GOPIF website for more information and to register for upcoming informational webinars.


Proposed Federal Preemption Legislation

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Two federal level legislative efforts are being advanced to further amend the Farm Bill by preempting state and local regulatory authority over pesticides, food production, and manufacturing.  H.R. 4288, the Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act, would prohibit state and local governments from adopting pesticide laws and ordinances that are more protective than federal rules, while H.R. 4417, the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act, would prohibit the imposition of standards or...


MMA Legal Services Issues Guidance on Affordable Housing Law

Thursday, November 30, 2023

On April 27, 2022, Governor Mills signed affordable housing legislation into law, P.L. 2021, c. 672, entitled, An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions (hereinafter the Affordable Housing Law). The law was later amended by P.L. 2023, c. 192, which was entitled An Act to Clarify Statewide Laws Regarding Affordable Housing and Accessory Dwelling Units. Together, these bills made significant...


Domestic Trade Grant Program

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

The Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) is administering the Domestic Trade Grant Program on behalf of the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and is urging municipal officials to share this opportunity with qualifying businesses within their communities. The program, geared toward assisting Maine businesses with selling more goods and services throughout the U.S., will award roughly $6 million in grants through two competitive rounds.  Depending on the...


12345678