December will be Owen Miller’s last month as a Resilience Corps fellow with SMPDC’s Sustainability and Resilience Division! Owen joined the team back in January, and he quickly got up to speed on all things energy efficiency. Over the past year he has been instrumental in launching the Southern Maine Energy Navigator program and providing direct technical and financial support to homeowners. He has helped add capacity to the division, including supporting the second annual Southern Maine Climate Action Workshop. He also made quick friends with our office puppy, Mabel.

We are grateful for the year Owen spent at SMPDC and are excited to see what he will do next! 

This fall, SMPDC completed a regional needs assessment to better understand how we can support our member communities with resilience projects. Through a mix of interviews and surveys, we gathered insights that will guide our work for the next four years. We asked communities about their priorities, challenges, and what kinds of support would be most helpful.

Towns are tackling a wide range of projects, including:

• Coastal resilience and stormwater planning
• Open space work
• Energy audits
• Transportation planning
• Municipal ordinance updates

Certain priorities rose to the top as priorities for the future:

• Energy efficiency
• Emergency management
• Local policy updates
• Coastal and inland flood resilience

Across the board, communities emphasized similar challenges:

• Limited staff capacity
• Difficulty identifying or securing funding
• Community engagement hurdles
• Navigating political processes or public pushback

Many communities asked for more support with project management, grant writing and administration, consultant procurement, and community engagement tools.

These findings will shape SMPDC’s Year 2 Regional Coordinator work, helping us strengthen capacity, expand technical assistance, and support communities in moving from planning to action. Stay tuned for new trainings, regional connections, and updated resources in the year ahead.

On November 12th, over 120 participants from local governments, volunteer committees, state offices, and communities across southern Maine came together to strengthen connections and discuss best practices for effective climate action in our region at our 2nd annual Southern Maine Climate Action Workshop. A big thank you to all who attended and to the University of New England for partnering with SMPDC to host this exciting event!

The Southern Maine Energy Navigator Program’s first round of financial support has closed, with the second round opening in January 2026. In the meantime, homeowners can still complete the financial support form and be added to the program waitlist. When the second round starts in January, navigators will reach out to finish enrollment in the program. Technical assistance is still available.

2026 Climate Smart Communities Initiative

Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI) has announced the launch of the 2026 CSCI grants to support climate resilience for communities highly vulnerable to climate impacts. Awards range from $60,000 to $115,000. Can be used to fund a climate vulnerability analysis, community engagement, resilience project prioritization, and planning processes associated with adaptation and resilience. Applications due March 12, 2026. Access the informational webinar. Learn more.

Community Climate Planning Grants

The Island Institute’s Community Climate Planning Grants provide up to $20,000 in funding and hands-on support for Maine’s island and coastal communities to strengthen resilience against challenges like flooding, erosion, and economic disruption. Grants can support projects such as vulnerability assessments, infrastructure and natural resource planning, nature-based strategies, public engagement, and small-scale implementation efforts. Applications are reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis until June 1, 2026. Learn more.

Land and Water Conservation Fund

The LWCF 2026 grant round is now open, supporting acquisition or development projects for public outdoor recreation. The first step is to request a project eligibility assessment as soon as possible. The LWCF can fund up to 50% of eligible project costs. The maximum award amount is $1,000,000. Applications due June 26, 2026. For more information contact Mathew.B.Henion@Maine.gov. Learn more.

Coming Soon! Maine Public Working Waterfront Infrastructure Fund 

The Maine Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Marine Resources (DMR), and Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) are launching this fund to support projects that make public working waterfronts more resilient to climate change, sea level rise, and flooding. Eligible projects include elevating, designing, strengthening, or relocating infrastructure to improve long-term function and accessibility for commercial and recreational use. At least 5% local match is required. The Request for Applications (RFA) will open January 2026. Anticipated due date March 2026. For more information contact Sierra Millay, Resource Management Coordinator at MaineDOT at Adaptation.DOT@maine.gov. Learn more.

Want more info on funding opportunities? The Southern & Midcoast Resilience Coordinator Collaborative (SMRCC) compiles a comprehensive, up-to-date list of grant opportunities to support community resilience projects.

Interested in applying for funding for your municipality but need guidance? We are here to help as your Regional Coordinator! Contact Melanie Nash, Sustainability and Resilience Planner at mnash@smpdc.org.