Climate Action Plan Cohort: All Plans Adopted

For the past two years, SMPDC has been leading the communities of Biddeford, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Kittery to develop individual climate action plans as part of the Climate Action Plan (CAP) Cohort project.

All four communities’ climate action plans have now been adopted!

Each community is now working towards implementation of their plans, while SMPDC is pursuing funding for regional climate actions that were identified as part of this project.

SMPDC has launched its Digital Device Distribution pilot program, the first of its kind in the area. The program will expand access to high-speed internet by distributing portable wireless internet hotspots to participating Biddeford residents through the McArthur Library and Biddeford Adult Education. Funded by a grant from the Maine Connectivity Authority, the program will help advance the York County Digital Inclusion Coalition’s 2023 Digital Inclusion Plan. 

The SMPDC Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program received a supplemental award of $3.5 million to be added to our Brownfields clean up and remediation fund. The money will go toward ongoing projects in Berwick and Kittery as well as potential projects in Biddeford, Sanford, and Parsonsfield. The SMPDC Brownfields RLF funds loans and grants for removal and abatement of environmental contamination in various forms, including hazardous building materials, soil contamination, and more. In addition, we are also receiving a new $500,000 assessment grant, which can fund environmental investigations to determine whether a site may be eligible for funding.

If you think you or your community may have a potential Brownfields site that could have redevelopment potential, reach out to Raegan Young at ryoung@smpdc.org.

SMPDC’s Annual Meeting on June 26th was a great success!

Thanks to everyone who came out, voted in representation of your community, and helped us celebrate SMPDC’s 60th Anniversary. The celebration included a lookback on SMPDC’s 60-year history, tales from past SMPDC employees, and a farewell to our long-time Executive Director, Paul Schumacher. Looking forward to next year!

Did 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 at ryoung@smpdc.org.

The Kittery Area Comprehensive Transportation System (KACTS) is undertaking an update to its Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) in collaboration with AECOM and Zoe Miller Strategies. The MTP will look out to the year 2045 and will plan for the transportation needs of all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, transit riders, and carpoolers.

The project launched with a successful Steering Committee Kickoff meeting on July 8th. Stay tuned for future public outreach and a project webpage, we need your input!

SMPDC has been awarded over $500,000 in grant funds from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to enhance coastal resilience in Kittery, adjacent to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The project will include preliminary design of nature-based solutions in tidal wetlands, wildlife habitat, and critical transportation infrastructure. This project will include collaboration with the community of Kittery, local stakeholders, and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. 

In recognition of their years of leadership of our regional sustainability and resilience program, Abbie Sherwin and Karina Graeter are now division directors! The pair have grown our sustainability and resilience programs significantly, from an early pilot program to a robust technical assistance and planning arm of our organization.

Together Abbie and Karina will lead the SMPDC Sustainability and Resilience division, working to guide regional and individual community action to enhance sustainability, climate preparedness, and community resilience. As Resilience Division Director, Abbie will continue to provide expertise on coastal planning, disaster preparedness, and climate adaptation. Karina as Sustainability Division Director will continue to oversee energy, carbon emissions reduction, and community sustainability efforts.

SMPDC, in partnership with the Town of Kittery and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, seeks a contractor to assist with transportation and climate planning activities centered around the Shipyard. Proposals are due August 9, 2024.