ALL ABOARD!
An advertising blitz on social media, digital and radio features a catchy new song that showcases the benefits of riding public transit. Watch the Channel 13 news story about the jingle.

Why it matters: While the campaign aims to make transit more fun, the context is serious. The agencies experienced declines in ridership during the pandemic. The campaign aims to rebuild ridership for our region's eight transit providers.

Help us get the word out! Like the TransitTogether Facebook page and share the video.
Rapid transit study gets green light
The PACTS Policy Board last week voted to spend $800,000 to study the feasibility of building a rapid-transit route along the 11.5 mile-long corridor between Gorham and Portland. 

Why it matters: Rapid transit could reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion, increase transit ridership and encourage development near transit. The study would allow the region to apply for federal funding.

What's rapid transit? The term refers to fast, reliable and high-capacity transit service. Rapid transit often operates in designated right-of-way (e.g. rail lines or bus lanes) and includes features like elevated platforms/stations, pre-board fare collection and unique branding.

What’s next? GPCOG will issue a request for proposals for consultant services this fall. The study should be completed in early- to mid-2023.

23 Community Transportation Leaders graduate!  
Kat Violette photo
The new program provides training and support help in advocating for their transportation concerns. Graduates include older adults, people with disabilities and people with limited English proficiency. 

Why it matters:  The program advances the inclusion of underrepresented communities in transportation planning and decision-making.

What’s next: GPCOG plans to recruit its second cohort of the program later in the year. 
Tell us your question about transportation!
The Connect 2045 long-range transportation plan kicks off with an innovative public engagement effort called the “Question Campaign.”  

How it works: Asking questions can inspire vision, make concerns visible and lead to great ideas. Instead of asking traditional survey questions, we’re asking the public to tell us their question about getting around Greater Portland in the future.  

How can I submit my question? Learn more about the initiative and submit your question at Connect2045.org.

Why it matters: The long-range transportation plan sets the tone and direction for how we intend to spend our transportation funding over the next 25 years.  

What happens next? The questions will then be compiled, organized by theme, and used to develop a plan that moves Greater Portland towards the collective vision we, as a public, create.
Cape Whoopies goes big!
SPOTLIGHT STORY
Val Bowie (left) and Colleen Lyons make whoopie pies. 2019 Tom Bell photo
In 2018, GPCOG gave Marcia Wiggins a $50,000 loan for working capital to start a South Portland bakery called Cape Whoopies.

This spring, Wegmans Food Markets began selling the gourmet pies in six Massachusetts stores with hopes of selling 250 pies a week. The stores are now selling 1,500 pies a week, and the supermarket chain now plans to sell the pies in 18 stores in Pennsylvania, with the potential of putting them in 108 stores in the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic.

Wiggins said she’s buying a new oven and considering hiring more workers and adding a second shift.

Wiggins said the GPCOG loan was critical for helping her launch the company. But just as important, she said, has been the ongoing operational support provided by GPCOG. At one point, a payroll snafu with her bank caused her to experience a serious financial crunch. She said Finance Director Josh Kochis helped her solve the problem and hire a new accountant.

“It has been really a great relationship," she said. "I need someone in my corner. Josh has been there for me all along.”
Host a Resilience Corps Member
AmeriCorps member works on the mudflats in Casco Bay
Resilience Corps fellow Casey Zorn spreads crushed oyster shells on the mudflats in South Portland for a research project conducted by the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership. Madeline Tripp photo
We're seeking applications for Host Sites for our 2021-2022 AmeriCorps Resilience Corps Members. 

Why it matters: As a Host Site, your team gets a dedicated boost to capacity in an engaged, capable and talented Resilience Corps Member. We're accepting applications for the 2021-2022 Service Term until Aug.1, 2021. 

Learn more: Contact Resilience Corps Program Manager, Julia Breul.

Sebago wins Connect Maine planning grant
Wires into a computer
ConnectMaine has awarded $5,000 to the Town of Sebago grant for a public engagement program to identify the current infrastructure and the gaps that exist.

Why this matters: The information is necessary to apply for additional and expand broadband access.

Broadband in the region: Several towns are working to expand broadband access.

Dig deeper into the U.S. Census
The Census has scheduled Data Summits to train people on how they can use the 2020 Census data. There are upcoming sessions this summer. Sessions are also offered for educational administrators, librarians and emergency management professionals.
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Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG)
970 Baxter Boulevard
Suite 201
Portland, ME 04103
Phone: 207-774-9891
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