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

 

Welcome, Britta and Ava!

Britta Brown joins SMPDC as a Land Use and Transportation Planner. With a background in planning, environmental permitting, and public engagement, she will assist with a variety of projects. Britta holds a Master of Science in Urban, Energy, and Environmental Planning from Aalborg University in Aalborg, Denmark, and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development from Rollins College. Outside of work she enjoys surfing, spending time with friends, and knitting.

Ava Moseley joins SMPDC as our 2026 Resilience Corps fellow, assisting with our Energy Navigator Program. Ava will provide technical and financial support for home electrification and weatherization. Prior to joining the Resilience Corps, Ava worked as a GIS intern with the Town of Cumberland. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies from Middlebury College.

 

Newest Joint Land Use Study Deliverables Released


This past year was one of great progress for the Joint Land Use Study - an ongoing collaborative planning program between the Town of Kittery and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. At the Partnership meeting on March 17th, staff from SMPDC, the Shipyard and AECOM presented the most recent set of completed deliverables and plans, which is the most comprehensive to date. That includes:


  • Plans to Porches Toolkit: a housing toolkit for municipalities, including four regulatory tools for encouraging production of diverse housing.
  • Infrastructure Vulnerability Assessment: Building off of the Kittery Climate Action Plan, the assessment evaluated the vulnerability of roads and utilities to groundwater flooding, saltwater intrusion, and storm surge.
  • Traffic Demand Management: The TDM plan assessed transportation and traffic conditions in and around PNS and Kittery to make suggestions for enhancing the transportation network and relieving traffic.
  • Funding Roadmap: This report is the key to implementing the overall JLUS plan, matching next steps with potential funding sources and including helpful information for those looking to apply.


  • and more!


The above plans are all available on our website, at smpdc.org/JLUS.

Bright Ideas for A Stormy Future:

Energy Resilience Plan Now Available

SMPDC’s new Southern Maine Energy Resilience Plan is now available! This plan, the first of its kind, advances four key objectives to improve regional resilience to power outages caused by severe storms. It is the result of an 18-month planning process including a comprehensive energy vulnerability assessment, and stakeholder engagement with representatives from local governments and industrial and commercial businesses.

 

Key takeaways:

 

  1. Outage frequency has more than quadrupled over the past 20 years in the State of Maine.
  2. The majority of weather-related outages occur due to discrete storm events that impact the entire region. In 2023, four major storms collectively accounted for 89.5% of all customer outages.
  3. Total outage-related business interruption costs vary significantly from year to year. They were estimated to be approximately $6.7 million in 2022, $9.8 million in 2023 and $11.2 million in 2024.
  4. Future climate shifts are expected to exacerbate current grid challenges and introduce new ones. Increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme storm events will make weather-related power outages more likely.

 

The plan’s four key objectives for increasing energy resilience focus on reducing hazards, as well as better managing outages when they happen. SMPDC will be incorporating plan implementation into future projects, programs and grant applications.

 

Key objectives for increasing energy resilience:

 

  1. Reduce the frequency and duration of outages in the face of existing hazards and emerging threats such as extreme heat and flooding.
  2. Improve communication between municipalities, the utilities, and emergency managers, especially during recovery from outages.
  3. Provide greater assistance to communities, local businesses, and households to manage outages.
  4. Ensure grid resilience is incorporated into regional and state economic development efforts.


Join SMPDC for an upcoming talk to learn about actions our region can take to improve energy resilience!

  • Register Here
  • Monday, April 6th, 3:00 - 4:00pm
  • Online vis Zoom and in-person at 107 Normal Smith Hall, UMaine, Orono


 

MaineDOT 3-Year Work Plan & Active Transportation Funding

MaineDOT’s 2026-2028 Work Plan is now available:

 

The release of the Work Plan also includes funding for multiple active transportation programs:

  • Active Transportation Partnership Initiative (ATPI): This is a state-funded program suited to small location-specific bike/ped improvements that will be implemented by the local municipality.
  • Temporary Demonstration/Pilot Projects: If your municipality is interested in implementing a temporary demonstration project in 2026, MaineDOT may be able to provide technical assistance and/or project materials.
  • 2026 MaineDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding Program: MaineDOT Bike/Ped Funding Program (Federal Transportation Alternatives Program) will be accepting applications again this year, with a due date of July 15, 2026. This is a Federally funded program funding projects that support the development of biking and walking infrastructure in Maine.

 

Questions about these funding opportunities or specific Work Plan projects? Reach out to Dean Williams, Transportation Director. 

 

Regional Digital Inclusion Plan Now Available

Over the past three years, SMPDC's Broadband Program staff have had the opportunity to work with several amazing partners and orgs around the region who are bridging the digital divide by:

 

  • Increasing access to digital devices
  • Helping people develop their digital skills
  • Adapting to a changing digital landscape

Our 2026 Digital Inclusion Plan highlights how local libraries, adult education centers, and community organizations are working toward these goals. We hope these case studies will serve as a reference point for future community-based projects. 

 

Planning Board Training Opportunity

SMPDC’s Land Use Division has developed a Planning Board Training for our member communities. The training discusses various issues related to member ethics, procedures, review standards, application types, and overall fundamentals to help Planning Board members better understand their important roles in their communities. The training is specifically tailored to each individual municipality and can be further customized upon request. The in-person training takes around 1.5-2 hours total.


Interested in a Planning Board Training in your town? Reach out to Jamel Torres, Land Use Planning Director.

 

Parsonsfield Residents Come Together for Energy Efficiency Open House

SMPDC is continuing to work with the Town of Parsonsfield on the Town's Municipal Energy Plan, funded by a Community Action Grant from the Community Resilience Partnership. Last month, the Town and SMPDC hosted an Energy Efficiency Open House at Parsonsfield’s Municipal Building. Residents came together to learn about the Town’s municipal energy assessment and recommendations for improving municipal energy efficiency and reducing municipal energy costs. The event also featured tables from project partners Center for an Ecology Based Economy, Maine Community Power Cooperative, and SMPDC’s Southern Maine Energy Navigator Program. 

 

Funding Opportunities

Maine Trails Program – Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry

The Maine Trails Program (MTP) is a statewide initiative to support the design and development of trails for outdoor recreation and active transportation. The second round of funding will be available to municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and ATV and snowmobile clubs. Requires 10% match. The submission deadline June 26, 2026. Click here for a list of projects funded. Program Guidance Manual.


Seafood Infrastructure Adaptation Fund (SIAF) – Seafood Economic Accelerator/Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation & the Future (GOPIF)

SIAF is a grant program for public owned facilities serving the seafood sector. Seafood infrastructure refers to facilities related to commercial fishing, aquaculture, and seafood production and supply chain. The grants are for supply chain infrastructure adaptations and/or energy efficiency conversions to infrastructure in public facilities that will strengthen the seafood sector and provide greater resilience to climate-related shocks. Awards $75,000 to $300,000 for seafood infrastructure adaptations, including planning, engineering, and/or design, on publicly owned land or land with a public lease or easement. Submission deadline June 30, 2026. Full Program Manual. Join virtually April 8th, May 13th, and/or June 10th from 12:30-2:00PM for SIAF Open Office Hours.


Community Action Grants - Round 7 – GOPIF

Community Action Grants are available to municipalities enrolled in the Community Resilience Partnership. SMPDC is available to help with grant applications and CRP enrollment – no cost to the municipality. Community Action Grants fund climate action at the community level, including actions from the Community Resilience Partnership List of Community Actions, an approved list of climate mitigation and adaptation activities OR other projects proposed by a community that support capacity building, planning, and implementation projects. Application deadline June 5, 2026. Download the pre-approved List of Community Actions. SMPDC CRP Factsheet


MaineDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Funding – Maine Department of Transportation

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. Submission deadline July 31st. Download application criteria. 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.


Maine Communities Grant – Maine Office of Tourism

The Maine Communities Grant supports tourism-focused marketing projects and events that strengthen community-based visitor experiences. Example projects include advertising, public & media relations, website enhancements, marketing asset development, visitor guides, brochures or maps, etc. Submission deadline May 11, 2026. Funding range $2,500-$5,000. Full Program Manual. Projects should align with the Destination Management Plan 2025 Reset.  


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.


EDA Public Works Program – U.S. Economic Development Administration

EDA’s Public Works program helps distressed communities revitalize, expand, and upgrade their physical infrastructure. Public Works program investments help facilitate the transition of communities from being distressed to becoming competitive by developing key public infrastructure, such as water and sewer system improvements, technology-based facilities, manufacturing facilities, business and industrial parks, telecommunication, and more. Grant Opportunity Page.


Coming Soon! Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund (MIAF) – MaineDOT

Funding to help communities adapt critical infrastructure – such as roads, culverts, stormwater systems, and wastewater facilities – to reduce vulnerability to climate change. Communities are encouraged to work with your Regional Coordinator to begin identifying potential projects. Application round expected to open in March 2026, anticipated due date May 2026. Download a list of past projects. MIAF Informational Sheet PDF. Informational workshop recording and resources.

 

Resources & Webinars

Technical Assistance Informational Sessions: LD 1829, LD 427, and LD 997

The Maine Office of Community Affairs Housing Opportunity Program (HOP) is holding multiples information sessions in April and June to assist municipalities with the implementation of recent housing legislation, including LD 1829, LD 997, and LD 427. These sessions will cover FAQs, share best practices, and provide opportunities for questions. View the informational PDF.

 

Community Resilience Partnership (CRP) Lunch & Learn Webinar Series

This series supports communities interested in applying for CRP grants by highlighting community projects and connecting participants with resources, state agencies, and peer communities. Round 7 Community Action Grants are now open. This series offers timely insights to help communities prepare strong, competitive applications.

 

Webinar Recording: Microgrids & Backup Power

Check out this SMPDC webinar recording to learn more about microgrids and solar back-up power solutions.

 

Bright Ideas for a Stormy Future: Strengthening Southern Maine’s Resilience to Power Outages

Join SMPDC for an upcoming talk to learn about actions our region can take to improve energy resilience.

  • Monday, April 6, 3:00 - 4:00pm
  • Online via Zoom and in-person at 107 Norman Smith Hall, UMaine, Orono

 

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.

 

SMPDC in the News

York Library launches digital learning lab, adds robotics workshops – Seacoastonline

 

Falmouth, Yarmouth launch home energy coaching program – Portland Press Herald

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