In the weeks and months following the devastating severe winter storms, I heard loud and clear from folks across the district: “We need help.” That’s why, in the most recent legislative session, I was determined to vote for the $60 million storm relief package that would help people and businesses rebuild and recover. I heard you, and I want you to know that help is on the way.
Right now, municipalities and small businesses can apply for a portion of $35 million in storm relief funding through the Business Recovery and Resilience Fund, which is available to help rebuild from the storms that struck in December and January. The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) opened the application process for $10 million that is available for Maine small businesses and nonprofits. Businesses, nonprofits and organizations may apply for as much as $100,000 in relief.
The deadline is June 25, and you can apply at www.maine.gov/decd/business-development/financial-incentives-resources/resources/business-recovery-resilience-fund. To qualify, applications need to describe efforts taken to increase resilience of the impacted business regarding future storms and the ongoing, worsening impacts of climate change.
I really appreciate this climate-related requirement. It forces us to rethink how we plan, build and rebuild in this new reality — the world my grandkids are growing up in. We have to adapt to the realities of climate change and the severe weather that comes with it. Doing so will make us all safer. It will also help businesses develop more sustainable plans that allow them to operate for as long as possible — while saving money at the same time. Planning ahead is far cheaper than having to rebuild again and again … and again.
In addition to the Business Recovery and Resilience Fund, the Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) has made applications available for $25 million to municipalities. The Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund provides one-time funding to municipal, tribal and infrastructure districts to help reduce vulnerability to climate change. Similarly, these projects must include a plan to increase resilience to storms and floods.
For these projects, applicants may request up to $75,000 for planning and design and up to $4 million for construction costs. The deadline is July 1, and you can apply at www.maine.gov/mdot/grants/adaptation/.
Finally, if your community hasn’t already joined the Community Resilience Partnership, then I urge you to contact your local elected officials and ask them to. When a municipality joins the partnership, then it can apply for Community Action Grants, Energy Efficiency Priorities Grants, and Service Provider Grants.
Distributed by the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, the grants support communities that are developing their climate resilience and preparing for the worst effects of climate change. For more information, contact Ashley Krulik at Ashley.Krulik@maine.gov. You can also go to www.maine.gov/future/climate/community-resilience-partnership.
I know that these applications, funds, and grants won’t undo the damage, and they won’t take away the pain. It broke my heart to hear your stories and see the damage in person. When the owner of a business sees their hard work, investments and sweat swept away, it’s crushing. In this moment, we have to build our individual resilience, support one another, and turn the pain into progress. Let’s rebuild, plan, and prepare for the storms we know are on the horizon.
As always, I am a resource for you, your family, and our community.
Henry Ingwersen represents Senate District 32 which is made up of Arundel, Biddeford, Dayton, Hollis and Lyman. He can be reached at Henry.Ingwersen@legislature.maine.gov or 207-287-1515.
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