We have plenty of updates and resources to share -- read on!

62nd Annual Meeting – Thank You for Joining Us!

Thank you to everyone who attended, voted in representation of your community, and celebrated another year with us on June 17th!

SMPDC's Director of Strategic Initiatives James Rather facilitated a panel on current and upcoming economic development trends in our region. A big thank you to our panelists: Delilah Poupore from Heart of Biddeford, Jim Nimon from Maine DECD, Stephen Houdlette from the Town of Kennebunk, and Becky Jacobs from Kennebunk Savings Bank. Looking forward to next year!

Does your community have voting representation? All of our member communities may appoint two General Assembly representatives to vote at our annual meeting. Don't know who your representative is? Reach out to Raegan Young at ryoung@smpdc.org.

SMPDC Annual Report

SMPDC's Annual Report is now available. Read through for all of the big project highlights from this year, as well as our upcoming work plan and budget. We will be sending out hard copies to our members soon. Look out for your copy in the mail!

Read the Annual Report Here

Maine Land Use Law Books available for preorder!

We are putting the final touches on the new 2026 Edition Maine Land Use Law Book!

The Maine Land Use Law Book is a 5x7 reference handbook including excerpts of Maine State law relevant to land use planning, zoning, and local regulation. It is a great tool for planners, planning boards, and other municipal staff. This edition will be current through the last legislative session of the 132nd Legislature, which adjourned in April.

Preorder Your Books Today!

Welcome, Matt and Alec!

Transportation Planner Matt Baronas joins SMPDC after serving as a Principal Planner at Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission. Matt is a graduate of Connecticut College where he studied Environmental Science and Architectural Studies while participating in research on Urban Renewal. Matt brings experience in traffic data collection and analysis, GIS, and financial research to his new role. Outside of the office, he enjoys cycling, playing golf, and listening to baseball on the radio.

Alec Campbell joins SMPDC for the summer as an Economic Development Intern through the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center. He is a rising senior at Saint Michael's college, double majoring in Political Science and Economics. Alec brings research and data analysis skills from past opportunities to assist with projects across the office. Outside of work Alec enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, golf and pickleball and is an avid Yankees and Knicks fan.

Funding Available for Municipal Ordinance Amendments

The Maine Housing Opportunity Program is providing grants to municipalities to support ordinance amendments related to new state laws enacted in the last two legislative sessions -- LD 2173, LD 1829, LD 997, and LD 427. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until July 31, 2026. For all communities, the deadline to comply with changes enacted through LD 2173 and LD 1829 has been extended to July 1, 2027.

Visit their webpage to see a recorded webinar, FAQ's and more information on how to apply.

Learn More and Apply

Stakeholders Come Together for Interactive Game Planning the Port

Stakeholders from the Towns of Kittery, Kennebunk, and Kennebunkport came together on May 18th to work toward their shared vision for a coastal town. The hands-on game Planning the Port, developed by the Town of Kennebunkport, uses building blocks to engage residents and stakeholders in smart growth planning for small towns. Participants collaborated to place buildings and infrastructure in growth areas while learning about the opportunities and challenges of municipal planning in smaller communities. Thank you to all who attended this event as part of the Housing Opportunity Program!

Technical Assistance Available Through Energy Navigator Program

The Southern Maine Energy Navigator Program recently received funding that allows the program to expand its technical assistance to the entire SMPDC region.

Now homeowners, landlords, and renters from all communities in SMPDC's region can contact us for help with:

Understanding the impact of various energy upgrades
How to sequence home energy upgrades
Determining financial incentive qualification
Exploring local and state programs

The Energy Navigator team is also working to update the program’s resource hub to cover a wider range of home energy topics. The resource hub contains helpful guides, overviews of upgrades, and links to additional services.

Schedule a Call

To learn more visit energynavigatorme.org, or email Kaya Williams, Project Coordinator, at kwilliams@smpdc.org.

Bicycle Rack Procurement Available to Maine Municipalities

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) has partnered with Maine DOT on a new program for bicycle rack procurement. If your municipality or public facility needs bike racks, BCM can provide the hardware with installation and maintenance expected of the local recipient. Example eligible locations are libraries, schools, municipally owned buildings, community centers, parks, and downtown areas. Private property is not eligible. Bicycle racks will be awarded through a review process administered by BCM.

Interested in applying for a bike rack? Reach out to Transportation Director Dean Williams at dwilliams@smpdc.org.

Funding Opportunities

Maine Trails Program – Maine DACF

The Maine Trails Program (MTP) supports the design and development of trails for outdoor recreation and active transportation. The maximum award amount is $250,000. Eligible applicants include municipalities and non-profit organizations. Applications for MTP funding must ensure public access to the recreation improvements funded by the grant for the greatest duration possible. The application deadline has been extended to July 17, 2026.

Housing Opportunity Program Municipal Ordinance Development Grants: Round 2

Municipalities may apply for up to $10,000 for revising their ordinances to comply with new state laws enacted in the last two legislative sessions -- LD 2173, LD 1829, LD 997, and LD 427. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until July 31, 2026.

Coastal Community Planning Grants – Maine Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) and Municipal Planning Assistance Program (MPAP)

Shore and Harbor Planning Grant and Coastal Community Grant applications are now open. For single applicants, the maximum award is $50,000. Groups of eligible applicants may submit applications for collaborative projects with a maximum award amount of $75,000. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026.

MaineDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Funding – Maine DOT

Funding to assist with funding sidewalks, pedestrian crossing improvements, off-road transportation-related trails, downtown transportation improvements, projects that address safety and/or ADA compliance concerns, etc. Projects are selected annually and included in the DOT 3-Year Work Plan. Requires 10% match. Applications are due July 31st. Call the MaineDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager at (207) 624-3000 to discuss project ideas at any time.

MaineDOT Active Transportation Partnership Initiative – Maine Department of Transportation

MaineDOT created the Active Transportation Partnership Initiative (ATPI) to assist in funding small location-specific improvements in the transportation system that enhance safety and mobility for vulnerable road users (VRU), fostering safe and usable human-scale transportation options in Maine. Includes design and construction of targeted safety improvements, improvements to active transportation infrastructure, or demonstration/pilot projects. Rolling application period. Requires variable match. Full program manual.

EDA Disaster Supplemental Program – U.S. Economic Development Administration

Funding to help communities and regions devise and implement long-term economic recovery strategies through a variety of planning and construction projects, as appropriate, to address economic challenges in areas where a Presidential declaration of a major disaster was issued. Rolling applications. Match Required. Program Factsheet.

Resources & Webinars

Municipal Law In-Person Workshop & Webinar – Maine Municipal Association

In-person workshop July 8, 2026, 8:30am – 4:00pm at Maine Municipal Association, Augusta | Webinar option via Zoom

This full-day course will strengthen clerks’ knowledge of major subject areas. For veteran clerks, it will provide a refresher on the basics as well as some in-depth discussion of specific areas of concern. New clerks will benefit from the broad-based discussion of the office of clerk, its duties, obligation and administration. Both will gain insights from an examination of statutory changes and modifications to state agency rules that affect the office of clerk.

Local Planning Boards & Boards of Appeal Workshop – Maine Municipal Association

July 28, 2026 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM | Hilton Garden Inn, 250 Haskell Rd. Bangor, Maine

This training is a basic introduction to the rules and procedures governing municipal planning boards and appeals boards. It is designed primarily for new and less experienced planning board and board of appeals members. However, it is also a great refresher for long-time board members. Code Enforcement Officers and municipal officers may find this course helpful as an overview to the role of these boards in their municipalities.

Governmental Accounting Workshop – Maine Municipal Association

2-day workshop August 20-21, 2026 | Maine Municipal Association - Augusta (in person)

This workshop, intended for newly elected/appointed Treasurers, will review basic general accounting concepts and tie them to governmental accounting concepts. Participants will receive a certificate at the conclusion of the workshop.

Reconnecting Communities Institute Transportation Assistance

The Reconnecting Communities Institute (RCI), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, hosts a resource library of tools and informational resources to support communities with transportation reconnection projects. RCI is offering free assistance opportunities to help communities address transportation barriers that support community-driven decisions.

The 2026 Maine Stormwater Conference will be held on September 3-4th at Holiday in By the Bay in Portland, Maine. This year’s conference is focused on “Stormwater BMP: The Real World” and will feature real-world examples of innovative and collaborative stormwater management and sessions on topics applicable to stormwater management decision-makers and practitioners, including engineers, planners, lawyers, code enforcement officers, and more. Conference registration is now open, and full conference agenda available here.

Save the Date: Maine Working Waterfront Conference

November 12-13, 2026 | Atlantic Oceanside Hotel, Bar Harbor, ME

The inaugural Maine Working Waterfront Conference will focus on efforts to support coastal and working waterfront resilience, tools for statewide, regional, and municipal planning, updating inventories on working waterfront statuses, and avenues for funding and receiving permitting guidance. More information will be available as event details are finalized. Sign up for the Maine Working Waterfront Coalition listserve to stay up to date on the event.

SMPDC in the News

EPA Announces $14.5 Million in Grants to Assess and Cleanup Communities in Maine – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

New data shows power outages during storms on the rise – Spectrum News

EPA commits $14.5M for Maine brownfields cleanup – Mainebiz

Remember to follow us on social media or reach out to learn more.

Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission | Website