[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6257907,"mediaKeyId","3151714-d19cef504bbc24c1c0f876a8f38eaa86","parentId",3151714,"title","City outlines plans for National Community Development Week and CDBG outreach","audioSeconds",540,"startMs",2300000,"endMs",2840000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3151714-d19cef504bbc24c1c0f876a8f38eaa86&start=2300&end=2840","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3151714-d19cef504bbc24c1c0f876a8f38eaa86/thumbnail_2300000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6257907/Maine/City-outlines-plans-for-National-Community-Development-Week-and-CDBG-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6257907-59cadfd51745ede4892430292ed4cb91/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172234&Signature=UzMuB1HysTI-YDzTD-yQ9hEnolIDcLKvQvrjsMxdr4VjBfx-odT4OgC2BcUdo-m7FJ10z6hScDutxilIY5Rsx6BIzGe9gzzKVlr41SmNbE0c1p6J-CJPYi06gUVAuBtphWpHrqqqJRxECxi94Q08xthB~1B7uGXOdlS7Aob2oclPii~3HD79gGtpCSsNKAS1T9066uFZytDXI-ll73eBdvfh~-bmzB~-qf2lbyve~y1~bVToLEaeSN-jPlJv0jZEgp-DKkQxQAf0z-uG5bhjtPaF6Wd0TVkgZzSTCA5XgH9po6alsfM2MSrVcUtqstCqRvxzoueEs1jA6qK7GwAmZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-29T23:02:46.623Z","article","Community Development staff briefed the Business and Economic Development Committee on plans for National Community Development Week and related outreach on April 7.

The community development officer said the city will run workshops tied to the consolidated plan, a participatory budgeting element, a youth survey conducted by local high school students this month, a community digital survey and an open house at City Hall. The department will also host a CDBG project showcase to highlight past and ongoing projects funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and staff will coordinate outreach to federal lawmakers and HUD offices to advocate for the program.

Staff noted a broader advocacy point: the CDBG program has not had inflation adjustments in about 50 years, meaning communities must increasingly layer other funding sources to achieve the same outcomes. The officer described the week’s events as an opportunity to inform the public and federal delegation about the program’s local impact. Dates published in the meeting packet place Community Development Week in late April (April 21–25), with the showcase following the week because of scheduling and school vacation timing.

Council members expressed support and noted the program’s long-term local impact. Staff said event details and dates will be posted on the city website and promoted on social media.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Business and Economic Development 4.7.25","oneSentenceSummary","Community Development staff outlined events and outreach planned for National Community Development Block Grant Week, including workshops, a consolidated-plan process, a youth survey and an open house; staff asked the committee to support public engagement and advocacy for federal CDBG funding.","taxTitle","Business and Economic Development Committee, Bangor City, Penobscot County, Maine","taxId",69282,"location","Maine","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6257913,"Committee approves outreach to promote Foreign Trade Zone membership to local businesses",714,2920000,3634000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3151714-d19cef504bbc24c1c0f876a8f38eaa86&start=2920&end=3634","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3151714-d19cef504bbc24c1c0f876a8f38eaa86/thumbnail_2920000.jpg","/articles/6257913/Maine/Committee-approves-outreach-to-promote-Foreign-Trade-Zone-membership-to-local-businesses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6257913-d6d7b5ca4da2120dd2006d808a000025/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172234&Signature=SnB7nIpoDvMnXdWw6uPOWJ~qDMjEeJ9ChDUl~K5~aX7XnfyvE2FFwnjtbbxD7ca57z6rP~aypI2RAR6S3e-jz7x3Io2CZiGMPfi2iImzC0Sr6hXDi6ToqRiDgoRMjjNvaKex9Y68baEkxoM5ZUYhaS2PNxuB9qvwlCzTLxx5LnrFheC1RBqjVsANLpmYP3LzyWvGp~MXB~-eDiVtUFNDnI1mkUm-bE1S316Cy1~JjL7-x~9pTbsw6UhTJ~e4aj2xC2i~CHKiP6MQFYByz~89gFPcVA3RClfj111Cu8vhdBsG19LLW35oeCN-qDvo5hKzixk7M754FHsJcQz34m7H3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Economic development staff updated the Business and Economic Development Committee on efforts to reactivate and promote the city’s Foreign Trade Zone designation and the committee approved staff outreach and promotion to local businesses and the Chamber.

Economic Development Officer Vigida Hernandez Smith said the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) has been inactive for more than 30 years and the federal alternate-site framework now allows FTZ activity across five counties, not just a single airport-adjacent site. Under the FTZ model businesses that become members can store, process or manufacture imported goods in the zone and defer duties until goods enter the U.S. market; in some cases duties can be eliminated if goods are re-exported.

Hernandez Smith said the city is the FTZ grantee and that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Commerce handle compliance and membership processes. She described the opportunity as a cash-flow benefit for businesses that import goods because duty payments may be deferred, but emphasized the specifics vary by business and CBP must review each case.

Committee members asked questions about bonded warehouses and who would manage them. Hernandez Smith said businesses generally manage their warehouse operations and must maintain compliance under CBP rules; the city can provide promotion and basic information but must hand off detailed compliance matters to federal partners. The staff recommended outreach to the Chamber and other business organizations to identify who imports and exports in the area and to develop a promotional campaign. A motion to proceed with outreach and promotion was moved, seconded and advanced with no objections recorded in the transcript excerpt.

Staff said the strategy depends on producing interested businesses, after which federal partners and CBP would help guide membership and compliance steps. The committee approved outreach and promotion rather than committing city funds to a consultant-led cost-benefit analysis at this time.","Economic development staff briefed the committee on reactivating and promoting Foreign Trade Zone #58 under the alternate site framework and the committee approved staff outreach to business organizations to identify interested importers/exporters and to promote a potential membership campaign.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6257917,"Committee approves US Army Corps soil testing at former Bangor Military Range",86,2858000,2944000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3151714-d19cef504bbc24c1c0f876a8f38eaa86&start=2858&end=2944","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3151714-d19cef504bbc24c1c0f876a8f38eaa86/thumbnail_2858000.jpg","/articles/6257917/Maine/Committee-approves-US-Army-Corps-soil-testing-at-former-Bangor-Military-Range","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6257917-65b439055cd86e870e2658ee363817d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172234&Signature=GvXHBADwT5ADHHvBYhJRHKpCO0ak4HQAgmFy5GfY8HZ-MB8NQyTKUkkSTQPVWMRB6U~SDjGF2eSboJZmVuOd43I0uvhcKj6eAW1nWKIPKJecFdOJs0CiJtMi1K-5pcHdzq7VW2IErLGfhYBdEHQOFj-SOaXA6xk8AIpcboGe652wn3uG3Qjf5TJyFIvZDB8hQHHMiwsV-axPwCe-4fHPfX4OwxTLAAllAdTrO3cU6UR~kH9u20eVGPH67mOyfvdDnW04v1PQpj2WIvP5QATT0XlYkWtV0aGEbnfV7f4YjkroxIV3wl8siSf8kt7kK0TLf~-XbuBuQtYV7QP1suqUIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee approved a request from the city solicitor’s office on April 7 to allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to enter a mostly vacant lot adjacent to the airport to perform soil testing related to the former Bangor Military Range.

Assistant City Solicitor Grace Ennis told the committee the Corps will test soils to determine whether military munitions are present. Ennis said all testing will be completed within four years and the city will receive a copy of the results. A councilor noted it would be important to know if munitions are present on land near residential properties.

A motion and second were made; committee members moved the item forward and the chair announced it would proceed. The meeting record includes the committee’s motion and second but no roll-call vote was recorded in the transcript excerpt.

The authorization allows the Corps to perform the described testing; any follow-up remediation or formal actions would depend on test results and subsequent federal/municipal steps.","The committee approved allowing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to access a vacant lot adjacent to the airport for soil testing to determine whether military munitions remain on the site formerly used as the Bangor Military Range. Testing is expected to finish within four years and results will be shared with the city.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6257922,"Airport director reports passenger growth, new equipment and market study; airport seeks Northern Borders support for checkpoint-related work",2380,720000,3100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3151714-d19cef504bbc24c1c0f876a8f38eaa86&start=720&end=3100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3151714-d19cef504bbc24c1c0f876a8f38eaa86/thumbnail_720000.jpg","/articles/6257922/Maine/Airport-director-reports-passenger-growth-new-equipment-and-market-study-airport-seeks-Northern-Borders-support-for-checkpoint-related-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6257922-06f8e052905544e89c00fb2f6d473713/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172234&Signature=kUzXF3dcOuiMHyfJKxTKrUU3iz2LKyOrnNCNKoHz-3UQMiGPRwsiP69md9MQ0f1N8jaXJrw~eGrdR1Mlt9qRY1gw0E1vT-yZM86MiJbzmfQOhTBXWgBPy01Ix8ZrHZkcTFdL45TtwhbZveU8GrKdCyYxau90nYgj8FBVC74Ykcw-H1UcOEoc4keSlFTAUe-avSmn2wyIKjLiePzjLPgFWHEaZ68h6ZOOG-DAvpdmi2LwmBa4c-e3yJNwFIZh1OUMh18pHfMwJFZSw6gRBqWsL-DQj5dSnMmXPgfq7p97FE1qaKYVcA0wjW~Dha-7sn~FfMJRUfDoF~mB9Y0ZetVX3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bangor International Airport staff gave the Business and Economic Development Committee an air-service development briefing on April 7, reporting passenger growth, fleet changes and infrastructure projects while asking the committee’s permission to pursue a Northern Borders Regional Commission grant for checkpoint-related work.

The airport director said Delta extended seasonal service to Atlanta and Detroit for an additional six weeks and upgraded the Atlanta route equipment from a CRJ900 (about 50 seats) to an A320 (about 180 seats). The director also reported a 15% year-over-year increase in February passenger numbers compared with February 2024 and noted the new parking lot generated about $150,000 in revenue in roughly four months.

Infrastructure updates included a passenger boarding bridge reactivation at Gate 11, a rebid terminal connector project now underway with FAA coordination, and planned runway closures for construction: a 15-hour closure (described as the 22nd–23rd) and a 55-hour closure (described as the 28th–30th) scheduled later in the month; airline schedules have been coordinated, the director said.

The airport presented an initial market review prepared with Valere Aviation Consulting that mapped catchment areas and passenger destinations, noted 40% of passengers are Canadian and that the airport’s average fares are higher than neighboring airports. The report highlighted opportunities and targets — including potential routes to Washington/Dallas (United) and Detroit (Delta) — and recommended completing a fuller catchment and leakage study.

On funding, the director described an earlier $12 million grant award as a scaled portion of a previously larger $50 million capital plan and asked the committee to approve pursuing Northern Borders Regional Commission support for unmanned exit lanes at the terminal (part of checkpoint-related work). The director said staff had held discussions with Northern Borders staff and that the commission had expressed interest in projects addressing unmanned exit lanes. The chair and committee expressed no objections to pursuing the funding.

The director said staff will use the air-service market materials as an initial tool for airline conversations and will pursue a more detailed catchment analysis ahead of the industry conference “Jumpstart” in June.","The Airport Director reported rising passenger numbers, a Delta aircraft upgrade and expanded seasonal service, cited $150,000 parking revenue from a new lot, and presented an air-service market review. The airport also requested committee approval to pursue Northern Borders Regional Commission funding for unmanned exit lane/checkpoint work.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6257927,"Committee accepts donation of three digital wayfinding kiosks for regional recreation campaign",767,77000,844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3151714-d19cef504bbc24c1c0f876a8f38eaa86&start=77&end=844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3151714-d19cef504bbc24c1c0f876a8f38eaa86/thumbnail_77000.jpg","/articles/6257927/Maine/Committee-accepts-donation-of-three-digital-wayfinding-kiosks-for-regional-recreation-campaign","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6257927-6daf9942a5168773cda797d5c3097117/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172234&Signature=H5LHQKUvvZko35T2r37d76A~~t0cMB37EZQSUdeoIkq7xexrzC4GWkOG7ArFYWpdtcWQ242xVg0304DnyZTaqLXIs9vsV4vOlLDxvxaoACTUtUWqwHyJrmQwBMKHd4fWWFtuvqq9IdB3Ne1imsmbJXJlj0SJP3AkR2r73GC12mJkNW6mw8XCYZU~OoRMvrEeQDfaKIELu~A~fjEAkYXqwPPSnxSsKE3~gAG0T3IdrRXyKb4GjN8l-vOMkShEQJaNk38GBvOsrOElZZdwhXFzh3QV4xVoZikItEOZNvW586634mkSQW96OfcJ6O-MQD7IHhdyBgUC4QShjTMAUOZ1nA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A volunteer-led regional recreation group asked the Business and Economic Development Committee on April 7 to accept a donation of three interactive digital wayfinding kiosks to promote outdoor recreation, cultural tourism and regional events. Lisa Sturgeon, steering committee chair of the Greater Bangor recreation economy effort (GBRERC), told the committee the kiosks will be paired with a market-research and brand-development campaign funded in part through state tourism and ARPA awards.

GBRERC has worked on four pillars for the region’s recreation economy: promoting outdoor recreation and cultural tourism, improving trail and waterway connectivity, improving river access, and building collaborative partnerships across 21 Greater Bangor communities. \"We applied and were awarded a subaward through the Office of Outdoor Recreation for a wayfinding project,\" Sturgeon said, and the group also received about $195,000 through ARPA for regional market research and branding.

Sturgeon described the kiosks as interactive units that will offer both passive promotion and active search features — for example, users could find trails, events or cultural sites. Under the subaward the plan is to place one kiosk in Bangor, one in Brewer and one in Old Town to foster cross-promotion between neighboring communities. Sturgeon said the group has identified likely downtown locations (near the waterfront starting point by the Sea Dog, a spot near the Ningu Pickering Square Park project) and at the airport (near baggage claim).

Council members moved and seconded to accept the donation request; the committee chair announced there were no objections and the request will move forward. The committee packet notes the wayfinding audit deliverable and a kit-of-parts for signage, and Sturgeon said leftover subaward funds can be used to supplement signage work through the grant cycle that ends in August.

The kiosks are tied to a broader marketing timeline: a regional survey launched in April, completion of market research in May, filming in June and a summer marketing campaign. GBRERC said the kiosks are intended to serve residents, students and visitors who may not know about nearby recreation assets.

The committee’s approval was recorded during the meeting without a roll-call vote; committee members raised no objections at the time.

Looking ahead, GBRERC plans brand rollout and a regional tourism website later in the year.","The Business and Economic Development Committee accepted a donation of three interactive digital wayfinding kiosks that will be installed in Bangor, Brewer and Old Town as part of a regional recreation and tourism program led by the Greater Bangor recreation effort (GBRERC).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City outlines plans for National Community Development Week and CDBG outreach

Committee approves outreach to promote Foreign Trade Zone membership to local businesses

Committee approves US Army Corps soil testing at former Bangor Military Range

Airport director reports passenger growth, new equipment and market study; airport seeks Northern Borders support for checkpoint-related work

Committee accepts donation of three digital wayfinding kiosks for regional recreation campaign