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V O L . X X X I I N O. X I I § 2 J U N E 1 , 2 0 2 6 6 W hen Mainebiz invited MEREDA to part- ner on Groundbreaking Maine once again, we didn't hesitate. is publication does some- thing important — it brings deserved recogni- tion to the developers, contractors, engineers and architects whose work embodies what respon- sible development looks like in Maine. We are proud to lend our voice to that effort and to share the stor y of our 2025 Notable Project Award Recipients. Responsible development is at the core of the Maine Real Estate & Development Association's mission — and this year's seven recipients are a powerful reminder of what that means in prac- tice. ese projects are more than buildings and square footage; they are places where communi- ties gather, where people live and work, and where Maine's cities and towns continue to evolve. Each recipient represents the kind of thoughtful, pur- poseful development that strengthens the fab- ric of our state and serves not just an immediate need, but a longer-term vision for their commu- nities. at is what responsible development looks like, and it is what makes this publication, and the work it celebrates, so meaningful. at commitment to responsible development has been MEREDA's driving force since day one — and it remains what unites our members and gives our work purpose to this day. As the Maine Legislature wraps up its ses- sion, housing remained a top priority, with poli- cymakers continuing to explore ways to address the state's shortage. While the path forward included some significant challenges, the ses- sion delivered incremental progress, particularly within the realm of affordable housing. MEREDA stayed closely engaged through- out, helping maintain momentum on key policies and supporting ongoing real estate and housing efforts. Lawmakers upheld funding for important programs like first-time homebuyer assistance and affordable rental housing, ensuring continued investment where it's already making an impact. In an effort to have an even greater impact on housing, MEREDA recently joined efforts with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition to form Build Homes, Build Community (www. yestohousing.me). Build Homes, which officially launched in November of last year, seeks to advo- cate for meeting Maine's housing needs – 84,000 new units by 2030. roughout the legislative ses- sion, the partners within the coalition worked together to find solutions, both regulatory and financial, to open up construction. Although a few promising proposals — such as school-to-housing conversions and small-scale redevelopment incentives — did not advance this year, they helped build awareness and may inform future efforts. Overall, the session reflected a shared com- mitment to tackling Maine's housing needs, even if the bold change we were seeking didn't hap- pen. While not every idea crossed the finish line, the work done this year keeps the conversation moving forward and sets the stage for contin- ued progress. MEREDA will continue to remain diligent advocating on our members' behalf, working in the months ahead on our policy priorities and prepa- ration for the next Legislative Session. — Shelly R. Clark Executive Director MEREDA F RO M O U R PA RT N E R Committed to responsible development That commitment to responsible development has been MEREDA's driving force since day one — and it remains what unites our members and gives our work purpose to this day. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F M E R E DA Shelly R. Clark, Executive Director of MEREDA