Grants and Other Funding Resources
Maine Community Funding Finder - Maine Office of Community Affairs
Housing Opportunity Program Financial Assistance
The Housing Opportunity Program offers municipal ordinance development grants to support compliance with new state legislation regarding housing.
Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan - Investments in Maine People & Communities
- This webpage is a guide to all programs coming out of the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan aimed at infrastructure, climate, community development, and public health
Maine Broadband Authority Grants
- The Maine Broadband Authority offers various types of grants to both providers and communities for broadband planning and infrastructure expansion
- Connect the Ready and Reach Me fund capital projects and broadband expansion
- Get Ready and Enable Middle Mile Partnerships both fund planning and coordination for broadband expansion
Recreational Trails Program (RTP)
- RTP provides funds to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for motorized and nonmotorized recreational trail uses. The program can fund up to 80% of eligible project costs on a reimbursement basis.
Congressional Spending Requests or "Earmarks"
Economic Development
SMPDC Grants and Loans for Businesses
- Visit our Economic Recovery Resources page for more guidance on available programs for businesses and non-profits struggling due to COVID-19.
Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan - Business Supports
- This webpage is a guide to all State of Maine business supports across agencies.
Sustainability and Resilience
Harbor Management and Access Grant
- More information about the Submerged Lands program is available here.
- Grants available for Restoration of Existing Water Access Facilities (Coastal Waters and Great Ponds), Construction of New Water Access Facilities (Coastal Waters and Great Ponds) or Engineering or Planning (Great Ponds only).
- Questions should be directed to John Noll at john.noll@maine.gov.
Maine DEP Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Control Grants Program
- Grants are available for developing and implementing watershed-based plans for protecting and restoring water bodies impacted or threatened by pollutions.
- For questions, contact the RFA Coordinator Alex Wong, Alex.Wong@Maine.Gov
CCG competitive grants include projects in Maine's coastal zone with a focus on the following priority coastal issues, as identified by the Maine Coastal Program and the Maine Climate Council's Maine Won't Wait: A Four-Year Plan for Climate Action:
- Building Community Resiliency to Adapt to a Changing Climate
- Planning for Green Infrastructure
- Preparing for Flooding, Sea Level Rise, Coastal Storms and Storm Surge, and Shoreline Erosion
- Land Use Activity Impacts on Water Quality
Questions about CCG applications should be directed to Joan A. Walton, joan.walton@maine.gov, (207) 419-8661.
Shore and Harbor Planning Grants
The Shore and Harbor Planning Grant program provides resources for shoreline access planning, waterfront and harbor planning, identification and resolution of waterfront use conflicts, and planning, feasibility, and design efforts for resilient waterfront infrastructure. Shore and Harbor Planning Grant projects are often well prepared to compete for construction funding through other sources.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs - Federal Emergency Management Association
- Provides funding for the development of hazard mitigation plans and for projects that reduce, or mitigate, future disaster losses.
- HMGP Program Fact Sheet
- A hazard mitigation assistance program that provides funding for proactive investment in community resilience and projects that seek to mitigate the impacts of hazards and climate change before a disaster occurs
- BRIC Program Fact Sheet
Community Resilience Partnership: Community Action Grant
- Grants only available to communities enrolled in the Community Resilience Partnership. Community Action Grants have a $5,000 minimum and $50,000 maximum request amount. Collaborative proposals by two or more communities are encouraged, in which case the group may request up to $100,000.
EPA Recycling Grant Opportunities - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released new recycling grant opportunities funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- Consumer Recycling Education and Outreach Grant Program: allows towns and cities to apply for between $250,000 and $2 million to improve consumer education and outreach on waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and composting.
- Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program: allows towns and cities to apply for between $500,000 and $4 million to improve materials management and infrastructure for recycling and composting.
Navigating the Federal Funding Landscape - The New England Environmental Finance Center
- Compilation of federal funding resources which cover environmental concerns, storm water, agriculture, sustainability, and resilience
Energy Efficiency & EV's
Efficiency Maine Municipal Lease Program
- This finance initiative of the Efficiency Maine Green Bank is designed to help municipalities and schools afford the remaining project cost after an Efficiency Maine rebate. Participants can finance these co-pays through a non-debt finance vehicle known as a “municipal lease.” The Efficiency Maine Green Bank pairs Efficiency Maine program participants with private, Maine-based lenders that provide this type of financing.
- Compilation of different funding sources for electric vehicle and charging station infrastructure.