Get to know us

Hancock County Planning Commission

A voluntary association of governments in Hancock County, Maine.

HCPC is a non-profit voluntary association of local governments formed in 1970 to help local communities and the Hancock County region by providing community planning and development services to local officials. We receive funding from local municipalities (dues), the Hancock County Commissioners, state, and federal governments.

What is a Regional Planning Commission? 

Enabled through State statutes to provide regional assistance to municipalities and partners. HCPC is a voluntary association of municipal governments formed “by vote of municipal officers” for the purposes of: 

  • Promoting cooperative efforts toward regional development;
  • Preparing and maintaining a comprehensive regional plan;  
  • Coordinating with state and federal planning, grant, and development programs; 
  • Providing planning assistance and advisory services to municipalities; and
  • Providing programs and services to municipalities [30-A §2321].

Our Vision

The Hancock County Planning Commission envisions a future where every local government has the knowledge and capacity to shape sustainable and livable communities. 

Our Mission

Our mission is to strengthen local governments of all sizes by providing planning support, building local capacity, guiding implementation, and developing and aggregating regional resources to address local and shared challenges.

Our Strategic Plan

This plan grew out of the municipal needs assessment we completed in 2023, the comprehensive plans we have supported across the county, discussions at our annual meetings, and the day-to-day technical assistance requests that show us, in real time, where towns are struggling and where they need a regional partner. Housing, climate resilience, grant support, and land use kept rising to the top across all of those sources. This strategic plan reflects that consistency. Check it out here.