21. Building Smarter Communities with Nancy Smith of GrowSmart Maine

How do we grow without losing what makes Maine… Maine? In this episode, host Matt Pouliot sits down with Nancy Smith, CEO of GrowSmart Maine, for an insightful conversation about how thoughtful planning, smart policy, and community engagement can help solve Maine’s housing challenges.

Nancy shares her incredible journey — from forester and farmer to legislator and nonprofit leader — and explains how smart growth principles can balance private property rights, local control, and the urgent need for more housing across the state. Together, they discuss the future of development in Maine, from ADUs and parking reform to rural innovation and revitalizing downtowns.

🎧 Whether you’re a homeowner, developer, policymaker, or simply passionate about the future of Maine, this episode offers practical insights and inspiring stories about building stronger, more connected communities.

Topics include:

• Fear of change and the path from NIMBY to YIMBY

• The impact of LD 2003 and local zoning reform

• How parking minimums, sprinklers, and density rules shape housing costs

• Smart Growth vs. sprawl – what it really means for Maine towns

• Rural innovation, small developers, and revitalizing historic downtowns

• GrowSmart Maine’s upcoming Smart Growth Summit in Waterville

Hosted by: Matt Pouliot, Pouliot Real Estate Guest: Nancy Smith, CEO of GrowSmart Maine

#MaineHousing #SmartGrowth #CommunityDevelopment #ZoningReform #RuralInnovation #HousingMattersPodcast