Midcoast Council of Governments asks Knox County for $61,290 in dues, cites recent federal grants

Matthew Eddie, executive director of the Midcoast Council of Governments, told the Knox County budget committee the council is requesting $61,290 in dues for the coming year and outlined services the organization provides to towns across the county, including planning assistance, revolving loan funds and brownfield support.

Eddie said the council recently secured a $108,150 federal Safe Streets grant to study and make temporary‑to‑permanent traffic safety improvements along Route 1 and Route 90 corridors, and he described a $1,000,000 revolving loan and grant program for brownfield redevelopment that has already made awards to local communities.

Members asked how towns access council services; staff noted each member community is entitled to 16 hours of free technical assistance and that the council offers topic‑based trainings and one‑on‑one support. Eddie said the council combines dues with a range of state and federal funding sources — including USDA, EDA and regional grants — to leverage additional project funding.

Committee members and staff said the council’s work provides capacity the county could not easily replicate on its own, and they pressed the council to continue outreach so towns know how to request help. There was no formal vote; the committee discussed the request informally during the meeting.