Articles
New Island Institute Fellows begin work on four islands
The Island Fellows Program began its 11th year in September, with four new Island Fellows joining five returning Fellows. One additional Island Fellow will be placed on Swan’s Island in early October, for a total of 10 Island Fellows. Since 1999, the Island Institute has placed more than 70 bright, talented college and masters-degree graduates
Institute Launches Volunteer Corps
Maine’s population is aging: between 1990 and 2000, the population of 45-54 and 55-59 year olds increased 54 percent and 26 percent, respectively. The loss of young people on the islands, meanwhile, requires involving greater numbers of older volunteers to ensure that communities remain vibrant and viable. The Island Institute has been receiving increasing requests
Proposed transfer tax would support affordable housing
Almost every area of Maine suffers from a lack of affordable housing. Only two counties, Aroostook and Somerset, have a median income that actually exceeds what is necessary to purchase a median-priced home within the county. In coastal and lakefront communities and on Maine’s islands this challenge is even more acute. According to 2006 MaineHousing
Islands Coalition discusses taxes, other issues
To learn about some of the tools that exist to address island housing and taxation issues, and to discuss possible legislative efforts for the next session, the Maine Islands Coalition met in Rockland in early November. Judy Mathiau, Assessor with the Town of Rockport; Dennis Doiron, Director of the Income Tax Division at Maine Revenue
New Institute Fellows
The 2004-05 Island Institute Fellows began their fellowship year on Sept. 12 with a weeklong orientation. The goal of the orientation was to provide an opportunity for the Fellows to form a cohort, get to know each other and learn about their projects and the communities in which they will be serving. The Fellows spent