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Policy Research and Development |
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 From its inception, CEI has built on its track record as a practitioner to engage in state and federal
policy work. Policy is a key strategy for CEI to achieve greater
social impact than what it could do as a single development
organization.
CEI
works with legislators, peer organizations, and other stakeholders to
develop broader government support for model programs that we have
pioneered, new initiatives and demonstration programs, and ongoing
programs that support the community and economic development field as
a whole. We also work with other interests in coalitions to
create a conducive policy environment for our work. Often
we undertake research as a first step to inform a policy direction and
strategy. This may be an evaluation of a CEI demonstration
program, a synthesis of existing information, or new
research.
The Research and Policy Development
Department undertakes new policy directions, whereas individual
departments take the lead in responding to specific issues or
initiating legislation that pertains to their ongoing work.
CEI is also actively involved in measuring the impact that we have on the communities and businesses in our project areas.
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About TABOR |
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Read about TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights). |
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CEI IN THE NEWS! |
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U.S. Finance Expert Encourages Banking Investment in Maine Communities
At CEI's 32nd Annual Meeting, Ellen Seidman, Exec. VP of ShoreBank in Chicago, and Sr. Research Fellow with the New America Foundation in Washington, DC, urged Maine bankers and community activists to consider “greater community investment…meeting the actual needs of the community, not just counting dollars invested.” See full speech.
See annual meeting remarks by Ron Phillips, CEO, on triple bottom line investing and the next 5 years for CEI…
See the 12/14/09 article on CEI and the state of investing in communities. It’s where mission happens… CEI Receives $125 Million in NMTC Through its subsidiary, CEI Capital Management LLC, CEI will use the allocation to attract private capital investments for primarily rural economic development projects. See press release here.
CEI Receives Investment Funds
In partnership with Manufacturers Association of Maine, CEI will receive $765,000 over from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services (OCS), to finance several job-generating small-to-medium enterprises. This funding will create 78 full-time, year-round jobs. Read press release here. Bangor Savings Bank and CEI offer low-interest loans to small and medium-sized enterprises in disadvantaged areas in Maine. Read more here. |
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CURRENT POLICY INITIATIVES |
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» CEI advocates for people and places left out of the economic mainstream.
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Working Waterfront Coalition |
Along the coast, high-priced homes are replacing buildings and piers that were once used to unload fish and lobsters. Of the 5,300 miles of shoreline in Maine, fewer than 25 miles remain open as working waterfront. Fishermen and shore side businesses from York to Eastport are finding it increasingly hard to do business because they can no longer access a path to the clam flats or rely on a place to store and repair their traps.
The Maine Working Waterfront Coalition (WWC), a statewide group of industry associations, nonprofits, state agencies, and concerned citizens, was formed to preserve this increasingly vulnerable asset. Over the past three years, the WWC has developed a public policy agenda and a "tool box" for municipalities, lawmakers, businesses, land trusts and others seeking to protect marine infrastructure and access to the water. As a founding member and coalition leader, CEI has been a driving force behind the coalition's growth. Now with over 140 members, the WWC is undertaking an ambitious plan to advocate at the state and local level for policies, planning practices and projects that will protect water access. Learn more about the Working Waterfront Coalition
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Policy Research and Development 