Sustain Southern Maine

Cumberland County Community Development Director Aaron Shapiro serves as the Administrative Project Director for a 3 year, $1.6 million Sustainable Communities Planning Grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Transportation. The Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) is serving as the lead applicant. Cumberland County Grants & Special Projects Coordinator Elizabeth Trice is on the executive committee. The planning area spreads stretching from Kittery to Brunswick, and will incorporate a plan "to help communities become economically strong and environmentally sustainable" through striving to achieve 6 Livability Principles:

1. Provide more transportation choices
   
2. Promote equitable, affordable housing
   
3. Enhance economic competitiveness
   
4. Support existing communities
   
5. Coordinate policies and leverage investment
   
6. Value communities and neighborhoods

To learn more, visit Sustain Southern Maine's page here.