Issues & Opportunities Survey
Help us develop regional policies. Both the state and federal governments are emphasizing regional planning and investment. The policies will form the building block for regional planning and provide a foundation for determining capital investment priorities. By completing this questionnaire, you will help us to move forward in these areas. Mail to SABACA, P. O. Box 55, Strong, ME 04983.
Please rank the following statements from (5) strongly agree to (1) strongly disagree:
ENERGY
Support Renewable Energy Projects such as Wind and HydroPower 5 4 3 2 1
Support projects that depend on wood and/or agriculture 5 4 3 2 1
Work toward conservation at all levels of government 5 4 3 2 1
Municipalities should encourage use of renewable resources for new development 5 4 3 2 1
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Promote economic development through state and local tax incentives, 5 4 3 2 1
such as Pine Tree Zones and Targeted lncremental Financing (TIF's).
Develop regional approaches to economic development 5 4 3 2 1
(e.g. regional industrial/business parks, tax sharing arrangements) 5 4 3 2 1
Downtown revitalization and reuse of existing mills are critical to our region 5 4 3 2 1
Encouraging entrepreneurial start-ups, such as home based businesses is
critical to our region 5 4 3 2 1
Support of agricultural initiatives is critical to our region 5 4 3 2 1
Development laws and rules are too restrictive 5 4 3 2 1
Broadband services need to be improved 5 4 3 2 1
GOVERNMENT
Promote regional efforts through voluntary means and incentives 5 4 3 2 1
Promote regional efforts by mandating consolidation of programs 5 4 3 2 1
Undertake regional planning efforts for land use, economic development, housing
and transportation 5 4 3 2 1
ENVIRONMENT
Strategically plan for the conservation, preservation and protection of natural resources 5 4 3 2 1
Use land use control ordinances to control development/protect the natural environment 5 4 3 2 1
Purchase land for conservation purposes 5 4 3 2 1
Do more to ensure our character and quality of place is preserved 5 4 3 2 1
Surface water quality should be improved 5 4 3 2 1
Land use controls should be used to protect surface water from degradation 5 4 3 2 1
RECREATION AND TOURISM
Increase tourism opportunities in Western Maine 5 4 3 2 1
Increase nature based tourism 5 4 3 2 1
Develop man-made tourism attractions such as amusement parks and golf courses 5 4 3 2 1
Develop and expand trail systems 5 4 3 2 1
Develop World Class Tourism Services including hotels, restaurants, and conference
centers 5 4 3 2 1
Provide mass transit services for tourism 5 4 3 2 1
Access to nature based tourism attractions in being threatened 5 4 3 2 1
HOUSING
Develop more affordable/workforce housing opportunities 5 4 3 2 1
Develop housing opportunities for the very low income 5 4 3 2 1
Develop elderly/senior housing opportunities 5 4 3 2 1
EDUCATION
Expand post graduate and continuing education opportunities 5 4 3 2 1
Develop programs that encourage educational attainment beyond high school 5 4 3 2 1
Create post graduate programs beyond Bachelors 5 4 3 2 1
LAND USE
Maintain commercial woodland 5 4 3 2 1
Maintain a land base for agriculture 5 4 3 2 1
New development should be targeted to service center communities 5 4 3 2 1
Public services and facilities should be planned to encourage development in growth
areas and discourage sprawl 5 4 3 2 1
Maintain Western Main’s land use pattern of urban centers, villages and rural areas 5 4 3 2 1
Land use controls should not interfere with individual property rights 5 4 3 2 1
Land use controls should be used to maintain scenic vistas and scenic quality 5 4 3 2 1