The Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission is a council of governments serving thirty-nine member municipalities from Kittery, at the southern tip of York County, to Stoneham, at the edge of the White Mountain National Forest. Founded in 1964 in response to an interest in economic development and resource management, SMRPC has been involved in assisting the towns and cities, as well as the state, with land use, economic development, water quality and mapping issues for over forty years.

The purpose of SMRPC is to strengthen local municipal self-government while combining total resources for meeting regional challenges beyond individual capacities; to serve as a mutual forum to identify, study, and bring into focus regional challenges and opportunities; provide organizational coordination among governments and agencies concerned with regional issues. Saco Development Director Peter Morelli has served on the executive committee for ten years, and has been chairman for four.

SMRPC also acts as the state's agent for economic development and for community development block grants in the region. In economic development SMRPC strives to strengthen the regional economy through the retention of existing businesses, encouraging the growth and development of new and existing businesses and entrepreneurs, and the attraction of businesses located beyond our borders. The agency has twice assisted Saco in obtaining federal grants for industrial and business parks.

Each year Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission receives funds from the Maine Office of Community Development to provide technical assistance regarding the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program to communities in York and southern Oxford counties. SMRPC staff members help with application drafts and environmental reviews. These federal funds from the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development are available for Public Infrastructure and Facilities, Housing, Community Planning, Public Service and Economic Development.

SMNRPC is currently assisting Saco with a Saco Bay plan, along with Scarborough, Old Orchard Beach and Biddeford (see separate article). The agency also coordinates a joint purchasing program, which helps towns purchase commodities more efficiently.