2021 Annual Report, Housing Affordability Data, and more

We are pleased to report our entire staff is fully vaccinated!

Our office in Saco is open, we are kick starting many new projects, and travelling to in-person meetings throughout the region once again.

Thanks for your support and engagement through a difficult year-

we are looking forward!

SMPDC Annual Report 2021

Check out our

2021 Annual Report!

Read up on this past year's accomplishments, and the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year.

Read the Full Report

Quick Updates and Links

Watch the ULI TAP Affordable Housing Presentation

The Town of Kittery hosted a ULI Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) to look at workforce housing solutions in the seacoast area, specifically around three potential development sites in Kittery and Berwick, to help address the needs of commuting shipyard workers.

Watch here

Watch the Municipal Climate Planning Webinar

SMPDC hosted Municipal Climate Planning and Action in Southern Maine in March. Watch on our website for an overview of Maine’s 4-Year Climate Action Plan and what it means for municipalities.

Watch here

GHG Emissions Report wins Project of the Year!

Karina Graeter, Sustainability Coordinator, was awarded Project of the Year from the Maine Association of Planners, for her report, "Estimating On-Road Transportation Emissions in York County, Maine".

Her analysis uses travel data from the platform "Streetlight" to estimate emissions based on miles traveled within towns across our region.

American Rescue Plan: Guidance for Communities

The U.S. Treasury announced guidance on May 10 for the distribution and use of the “State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds”. SMPDC is compiling guidance and documents to help our member municipalities understand how to use these federal funds. Visit our ARPA webpage here.

ARPA Webinar, presented by MMA (Complimentary for MMA Members)

U.S. Treasury Interim Rule (Full Document)

Interim Rule Fact Sheet

U.S. Frequently Asked Questions (Recommended)

Checklist for NEUs (Info needed to request funding)

Award Terms and Conditions

Title VI Assurances

Housing Affordability Report

We recently completed a report of the Maine Housing Affordability Indices for York County towns and cities. Visit our new Housing Affordability webpage.

Some highlights include:

Home prices continue to rise; incomes have not kept pace.

Between 2015-2019, York County median incomes increased by 13.54%, while median home prices increased by 34.88%.

Of York County’s 29 towns, only three are considered "affordable" in 2019 - Sanford, North Berwick and Buxton

Read more, and other planning updates

North Berwick Fee Funds Land Conservation

North Berwick voters recently approved the use of $100,000 from the open space and recreation impact fee funds to go towards the purchase and stewardship of over 50 acres on Bauneg Beg Mountain.

These impact fees were established 20 years ago, but they repeatedly support local conservation and recreation for the town.

Check out the flyer for our new Energy Audit Program

Want some for your town hall or offices? Reach out and we will send you a printable copy!

Developing Sustainable Road Design Standards

Road infrastructure is the foundation of our transportation system in Maine. SMPDC is drafting a standard Road Design ordinance to support community efforts to modernize road design for more sustainable, habitat friendly, and lively communities.

Offering flexible loans to recovering businesses

SMPDC closes on over $400,000 in loans to businesses and non-profits recovering from the pandemic through the Economic Recovery Revolving Loan Fund. More are on the way!

New UNH Sustainability Fellow

SMPDC welcomes Maggie Peard, coming to us from the UNH Sustainability Fellowship Program. Maggie will be working with our Coastal Resilience Coordinator, Abbie Sherwin, on a regional resilience plan over the summer.