Maine § 558. - Maine Communities in the New Century Program

(1) Maine Arts Commission;  

(2) Maine Historic Preservation Commission;  

(3) Maine State Library;  

(4) Maine State Museum;  

(5) Maine Historical Society;  

(6) Maine State Archives; and  

(7) Maine Humanities Council.   [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

C. "Program" means the New Century Community Program established in subsection 2.   [PL 2001, c. 439, Pt. DDDD, §2 (AMD).]

2.  Program established; objectives.  The New Century Community Program is established under the auspices of the council to further the following objectives:

A. Preservation of the State's historic resources, properties, artifacts and documents;   [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

B. Expanded access to improved educational resources; and   [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

C. Community and economic development through strengthened local cultural resources, including through increased community access to the State's leading cultural institutions.   [PL 2001, c. 439, Pt. DDDD, §3 (AMD).]

3.  Program components.  To assist communities in preserving, improving and providing access to cultural resources, the program shall provide matching grants, technical assistance and support services to local, nonprofit, community-based organizations.

4.  Council duties.  The council shall:

A. Oversee the planning and implementation of the program and coordinated communication among the participating agencies on behalf of Maine communities;   [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

B. Establish an outside evaluation system for the project to be implemented in the 2nd year of the program;   [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

C. Provide a forum of interagency planning among the participating agencies;   [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

D. Receive and distribute notices and instructions from other governmental administrative agencies;   [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

E. Meet quarterly to assess the progress of the program;   [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

F. Coordinate the program with a statewide cultural alliance organization that is a private nonprofit educational agency supporting libraries, museums and arts and humanities organizations and with statewide groups of individuals and artists concerned about the health of the State's cultural resources; and   [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

G. Submit an annual report to the Legislature on the program.   [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

5.  Participating agency duties.  The participating agencies shall:

A. Provide matching grants and services to eligible nonprofit and community-based organizations;   [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

B. Participate in coordinated efforts of the council; and   [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]

C. Provide appropriate information for the annual report to the Legislature.   [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. LL, §1 (NEW).]