What's your question about the future
of transportation in our region?
"Is there going to be a continuation of public transportation?"
Is there ever going to be another train from Portland to Standish?
"What if in the future
cars could fly?"
Our region is updating its long-range transportation plan, and we need help from people who live, work and play in Greater Portland!
 
Share with us your question! Visit Connect2045.org or send us a text message at 207-200-6729.

Why your questions matter: Asking questions can inspire vision, make concerns visible and lead to great ideas.

vFunds approved for capital improvement projects
The news: PACTS has allocated approximately $2.5 million in federal funding for capital improvement projects in the PACTS region.  
 
Where’s the money going? On August 24, the PACTS Policy Board voted to allocate funding to projects in Gorham, Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, Windham and Yarmouth.

The projects that received funding:

  • Portland - Libbytown Safety and Accessibility Project 
  • Yarmouth - Beth Condon Multi-Use Pathway Extension
  • Yarmouth - Main Street Sidewalk Improvement Project
  • Gorham - Gorham Traffic Adaptive Signals & Pedestrian Lighting
  • Windham - Route 302 North Windham Sidewalk
  • South Portland - Lincoln Street Rehabilitation and Multi-Use Path
  • Westbrook - William Clarke Drive Improvements
Webinar series to focus on the
future of broadband in our region
GPCOG & Cumberland County are launching a webinar series to discuss the opportunities for broadband expansion in our region.  

Why it matters: Imagine what the future could be if we can identify opportunities to collaborate. 

Join us with the Maine Broadband Coalition, the Roux Institute and the Island Institute at the first of three webinars at 8 AM on Sept. 27.

Sept. 27 topic: General broadband orientation – what’s happening, why it’s important.

Who should attend?  Elected leaders, managers and broadband development partners.

South Portland and GPCOG install pilot
traffic calming measures in Cash Corner
Efforts to improve transportation along the congested Broadway corridor are continuing with temporary traffic-calming measures that have been installed in the Cash Corner neighborhood.

Why it matters: The biggest traffic issues are truck traffic on neighborhood streets, speeding, cut-thru traffic and limited accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists.

What’s next: A post-installation survey will be conducted in September to help planners decide the next steps. Learn more.

Municipal leaders to discuss ARPA opportunities
Municipal leaders to discuss the American Rescue Plan Act at an online meeting on Sept. 16.

Why it matters: The American Rescue Plan Act presents our communities with a unique opportunity to invest in their own needs and come together to benefit the region.

Who is the meeting for? Municipal managers, chairs/vice-chairs of councils and selectboards and Cumberland Country commissioners are invited to join the discussion.

Custom approach needed for sustainable
 waste management solutions
SPOTLIGHT STORY
Maria Guerra, a Resilience Corps Fellow working in the City of South Portland's Sustainability Office, has been working to expand and promote the city-wide food waste recycling program. She believes that sustainable practices will be more likely to take root if communities take ownership and hold each other accountable.

Guerra found that neighborhoods east and west of I-295 are different in their demographics, history, obstacles and resources. As a result, she said, increasing people's participation in the food-waste recycling program may be more successful if the program works with the strengths of individual neighborhoods.
Speak up about Maine's economic recovery efforts
Maine Economic Recovery Input Session: Commissioner Heather Johnson, Carlos Mello from the Finance Authority of Maine, DECD staff and regional organizations will host eight virtual input sessions in September

Why it matters: This is an opportunity for business owners, nonprofit executives and community leaders to provide feedback

When are the sessions? The GPCOG session will be Tuesday, Sept. at 2:30 p.m. But the public is welcome to attend any of the eight sessions scheduled for September.

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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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