State of Maine law requires the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development to establish and administer a social equity program to increase workforce development programs and provide support to individuals who are members of impacted communities and businesses that are owned by members of impacted communities. "Impacted community" means a racial, ethnic or tribal population that has experienced incarceration at rates disproportionate to the racial, ethnic or tribal population's rate of criminality starting in or about the year 1971 and as a result the racial, ethnic or tribal population has experienced direct or indirect discrimination in access to housing, employment and education. See 5 MRSA 13301-13303.
The Social Equity Program Advisory Committee will be convened and will serve to advise DECD on the development and implementation of the program. The advisory committee will have five members who are members of impacted communities. Two members of the advisory committee will be appointed by the President of the Senate and three members will be appointed by the Speaker of the House. The first‑named member appointed by the Speaker of the House is the chair of the advisory committee. The DECD Commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, will convene the advisory committee as necessary to carry out its advisory duties. The composition of the Social Equity Program Advisory Committee is currently being determined. Meetings of the Advisory Committee will be public meetings, and the schedule, agenda, and minutes from these meetings will be posted here when available.
SEP Advisory Committee Membership
SEP Advisory Committee Membership (pdf)
SEP Meeting Schedule
Initial meeting: September 16, 2025
Join via Zoom: https://us05web.zoom.us/launch/edl?muid=5463719192_1669566313000
Meeting ID: 546 371 9192 Passcode: 86SUhb
Agenda is here.
Meetings will be open to the public, so advance registration is not required. However, you are welcome to reach out to BizAwards.DECD@maine.gov if you wish to advise us of your plan to attend.
By December 15, 2026, and biennially thereafter, DECD will file a report with the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over economic and community development matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over cannabis matters detailing the components of the program, the progress and impact of the program and its components and the activities of the advisory committee. Each joint standing committee may report out legislation in the regular or special session of the Legislature in which the report was filed.
A Request for Proposal was issued to support this work. This RFP can be accessed here:
Request for Proposals (RFP) | Division of Procurement Services
The awarded bidder is currently working with the Maine Department of Community and Economic Development to publicly launch the program.
The Maine Department of Labor has hired an apprenticeship navigator to assist career seekers from impacted communities. The Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services is in the process of recruiting a cannabis business advocate to support the program as well.
Any questions on the Social Equity Economic Development Program, please email us at BizAwards.DECD@maine.gov or call 1-800-872-3838.