LD 844
pg. 4
Page 3 of 5 An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Stimulate Maine's Economy ... Page 5 of 5
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LR 1708
Item 1

 
5. The sum of $6,000,000 to provide access to capital for
small businesses that demonstrate potential for high growth
and public benefit;

 
6. The sum of $25,000,000 to provide direct support to
businesses in the State;

 
7. The sum of $12,000,000 for affordable housing; and

 
8. The sum of $25,000,000 for University of Maine research
and development activities."

 
The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote
by ballot on this question and designate their choice by a cross
or check mark placed within a corresponding square below the word
"Yes" or "No." The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and
declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns
made to the Secretary of State in the same manner as votes for
members of the Legislature. The Governor shall review the
returns and, if a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor
of this Act, the Governor shall proclaim the result without
delay, and this Act becomes effective 30 days after the date of
the proclamation.

 
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

 
The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of
$120,000,000, will be used to stimulate economic development in
the state through investments in research and development,
municipal infrastructure and affordable housing and direct
business support in the State as follows:

 
1. The sum of $15,000,000 to create jobs and reduce property
taxes by providing grants and loans to municipalities for public
facilities and infrastructure;

 
2. The sum of $10,000,000 for medical research and
development by Maine-based biomedical research institutions;

 
3. The sum of $5,000,000 to support the State's applied
development technology centers;

 
4. The sum of $22,000,000 to partner with the marine
biotechnology industry to undertake marine biotechnology
research;


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