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Established in 1962, the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments
is a regional planning agency serving the Western Maine communities
of Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties. AVCOG is a not for
profit, 501(c)(3) agency, exclusively owned and operated by member
communities, who join on a voluntary basis. An Executive Committee
sets policy and oversees the operations of the Council, in consultation
with appointed representatives from member communities and counties.
Sharing a border with New Hampshire and Quebec, the AVCOG region
covers over 4,200 square miles of forested mountains and fields
carved by pristine lakes and rivers. The Twin Cities of Lewiston
and Auburn, located in the southern portion of the region, share
a combined population of 58,893 people, making it the largest hub
in the region. The remaining population of 129,000 is scattered
over 75 small towns, townships, plantations, and unorganized territories.
With a healthy abundance of natural resources, Western Maine is
home to a vibrant manufacturing sector that includes wood, pulp
and paper, electronics, plastics, and textiles. Currently, health
care, telecommunications, and services are the fastest growing industries
in the region. World class recreational opportunities and nationally-recognized
universities complement the unique quality of life.
AVCOG is a leader in the coordination and delivery
of regional planning and municipal services. With a $2.5 million
annual operating budget earned from dues, grants, and fee-for-service
projects, our full-time professional staff of 27 is concentrated
in two targeted areas Municipal Services and Business Services.
• MUNICIPAL SERVICES
Community & Economic
Development - Business retention and attraction, assistance
to targeted industries, tourism promotion, strategic planning for
local economic and community development.
Land-Use Planning
- All facets of comprehensive planning, including site review, ordinance
development, computerized
mapping and GIS, downtown revitalization, and capital budgeting.
Transportation
Planning - Rural and urban planning for roads, transit, passenger/freight
rail, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities, including planning
for the Androscoggin Transportation
Resource Center (ATRC) and the state’s Region 7 Transportation
Advisory Committee (RTAC).
Environmental
Management - Lake and ground water protection, watershed planning,
pollution prevention, solid waste management, waste reduction and
recycling, and hazardous and universal waste collection programs.
Joint Purchasing
- Purchasing service that enables AVCOG member municipalities to
buy goods and services at discounted prices.
• BUSINESS SERVICES
Business
Counseling - Provide one-on-one counseling to existing businesses
and individuals contemplating starting a business.
Business
Financing - Provide financing assistance for start-ups, expansions
and modernizations throughout the tri-county.
Other Business
Assistance Programs - Offer other business related programs
including technical support to manufacturers.
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