About
Midcoast Council of Governments (MCOG) is a nonprofit, municipally-driven regional planning and economic development district encompassing 66 communities in the Midcoast region. We receive funding from the local municipalities (dues), state, and federal governments to assist communities with their planning and economic development needs. MCOG evolved out of Midcoast regional planning commission, MCEDD, and the Bath-Brunswick-Topsham Development Corporation serving Midcoast Maine since the 1990s.
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What is a Council of Governments?
Enabled through State stautates to provide regional assistance to muncipalities and partners. MCOG is a voluntary association of municipal and county governments formed "by vote of their municipal officers" for the purpose of:
Promoting cooperative efforts toward regional development;
Preparing and maintaining a comprehensive regional plan;
Coordinating with state and federal planning, grant, and development programs;
Providing planning assistance and advisory services to municipalities; and
Providing programs and services to municipalities. [30-A §2321]
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Our Mission
The mission of MCOG is to strengthen the capability of member municipalities and counties to act individually and collectively to make Midcoast Maine a better place to live, work, and play.
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This involves:
- Developing and implementing a regional economic development strategy;
- Identifying, developing, and implementing regional strategies for other pressing issues and opportunities;
- Mobilizing resources in the region, including member municipalities and counties, business and economic development organizations, environmental and conservation nonprofits, schools and research
laboratories, and others, to implement regional strategies;
- Providing technical assistance to ​municipalities and counties to effectively design and implement planning and development policies;
- Advocating at the state level for policies and funding that support regional and local planning and development strategies; and
- Exercising other such powers as member municipalities and counties may delegate. ​
Our Region
Our Governance
MCOG is governed by a General Assembly and Board of Directors selected from the General Assembly
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General Assembly: meets two times per year and is the primary policy making body of the Council. It is comprised of two Official Representatives (one elected, one appointed) from each of the member municipalities and counties.
The General Assembly elects officers and representatives to the Board of Directors, adopts the annual MCOG budget and the dues assessment for all full members, adopts and amends MCOG Bylaws, and establishes policy guidelines for the Board of Directors.
Board of Directors: meets monthly/bimonthly and as needed and is the policy implementing body of MCOG. Directors are appointed by the General Assembly and must be members of the General Assembly.
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Nicole Briand, Town Manager - Bowdoinham
Audra Caler (Vice Chair), Town Manager - Camden
Sally Costello, Economic Development Director - Brunswick
Andrew Dorr, Town Manager - Damariscotta
Jonathan Duke, Town Manager - Rockport
Andrew Hart, County Administrator - Knox County
Julie Hashem, Community Development Director - Rockland
Betty Johnson (Secretary), County Commissioner - Waldo County
Amber Jones, County Administrator - Sagadahoc County
Jeffrey Jordan (Treasurer), CFO - Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority
Mark Meyers (Chair), City Manager - Bath
Derek Scrapchansky, Town Manager - Topsham