AUGUSTA — The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Municipal Planning Assistance Program has released two online tools to help Maine communities plan for the future.

The Maine Comprehensive Plan Data Portal and Mapping Services StoryMap offers a one-stop shop for essential data and maps needed to create comprehensive plans. These plans serve as blueprints for community development, guiding decisions on everything from infrastructure projects and policies to land use and economic growth. By centralizing information from state and federal agencies, the StoryMap streamlines the planning process, saving time and resources for Maine’s communities.

The Maine Municipal, Regional & Statewide Plans platform provides a valuable resource for exploring existing plans across the state. Communities can learn from successful strategies, identify potential challenges, and gather insights to inform their community’s planning efforts. Topics covered include climate change, economic development, hazard mitigation, housing, land use and transportation.

MPAP is dedicated to providing ongoing technical assistance and training to ensure communities can make the most of these new tools. The tools are free to use and will be regularly updated with the latest information.

For more information, visit maine.gov.

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