The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies of this Act necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum.

SUMMARY

This bill proposes a June referendum vote on the proposed bonds.

The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $20,000,000, will be used to support applied research and to provide for equity investments in promising Maine companies, public improvements in cultural buildings, weatherization and family and elderly housing, school renovations and improvements at the Raymond H. Fogler Library. Under this bond, the funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $20,000,000, will be used for the following purposes:

1. Five million dollars for Maine Technology Institute Natural Resources Applied Research Fund competitive grants for applied research in natural-resource-based industries, including forest bio-products, marine fisheries and agriculture. These funds leverage $5,000,000 in required matching funds;

2. Two million dollars for the Small Enterprise Growth Fund for equity investments in small Maine companies with potential for high growth. These funds leverage private equity investments;

3. One million dollars for the New Century Community Program for communities with a Pine Tree Development Zone designation for capital improvements to cultural resources;

4. Two million dollars for weatherization of single and multifamily homes occupied by low-income persons;

5. Two million dollars for family and elderly housing options for Native American tribes through the Four Directions Development Corporation. These funds would help attract $2,000,000 in federal funds;

6. Six million dollars for repairs, improvements and renovations to public schools. The funds leverage $3,000,000 in matching local funds; and

7. Two million dollars for critical improvements and expansion plans for the Raymond H. Fogler Library at the