Write a letter to your Editor on Maine's Sprawl Stall

In a feature story in last weekend's Maine Sunday Telegram, reporter Tux Turkel analyzed recent Census data and found that, after a decade of double-digit growth in far-flung suburbs during the 1990s, more households are now moving back to the bigger towns and cities where the majority of Maine's jobs and services are located.

These trends reinforce the importance of Maine's downtowns, especially in the emerging new economy. In order to stimulate the economy, attract new businesses and educated workers, and respond to growing demand for in-town housing, Maine's local and state governments should focus investments in downtowns, Main Streets, and village centers.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Mainers want to live and work downtown

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
December 10, 2008

Background Information

The end of rapid population growth in rural communities is great news for Maine's quality of place: not only will our forests, farms, and working waterfronts face less development pressure, our downtowns and Main Streets are also becoming more vibrant and growing new businesses.
In order to encourage this positive trend, the state of Maine should create a new "Communities for Maine's Future" fund, similar to the successful "Land for Maine's Future" program, to support new parks, street improvements, historic preservation projects, and other forms of infrastructure in our downtowns and village centers.
Existing zoning codes frequently discourage developers from proposing the kind of high-quality, mixed-use neighborhoods that Mainers value so highly. Municipal governments need to examine their ordinances to accommodate the growing demand for new housing and businesses in Maine's villages and downtowns.