“This once-in-a-generation investment will help us fix our roads and bridges, expand high-speed broadband, improve access to clean drinking water, and build a cleaner, more sustainable transportation network – all while putting Maine people to work in good-paying jobs. I thank the President and Maine’s Congressional Delegation for their work to get it done.”
-- Governor Janet Mills
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), signed by President Joseph Biden with the support of Maine’s full Congressional delegation, offers a historic opportunity to invest in Maine’s roads and bridges, expand broadband and public transportation systems, improve climate resilience, build a clean energy future, ensure clean drinking water, and grow Maine's economy through sustained investment and good-paying jobs.
BIL Investment Categories
By executive order of Governor Mills, the State has established an Infrastructure Implementation Committee to coordinate the implementation of BIL initiatives among the State, cities, towns, tribal governments, and other entities in Maine. For more about each BIL category, visit the Categories page.
Transportation
BIL funding will support important investments in Maine’s transportation system to support economic opportunity and quality of life.
Coordinating Agencies: Maine Department of Transportation, Governor’s Energy Office, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, Department of Environmental Protection, Efficiency Maine, and Department of Economic and Community Development.
Resilience & Environmental Protection
Programs to strengthen the state's preparedness for storm events, flooding, and wildfires; to build resilience of transportation networks, drinking water and wastewater systems; to mitigate contaminants and pollution; and to improve natural capacity of watersheds and ecosystems.
Coordinating Agencies: Coordination of these investments is through a BIL Resilience Working Group, a cross-agency effort established to take advantage of BIL resilience opportunities which include over $50 billion for evacuation routes, coastal resilience, improving infrastructure resilience, or efforts to move infrastructure to nearby locations less impacted by extreme weather and natural disasters.
Energy Programs & Building Efficiency
Programs supporting improved energy efficiency in buildings and the expansion of affordable, clean energy generation and transmission networks.
Coordinating Agencies: Governor’s Energy Office, Maine Department of Transportation, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, Efficiency Maine, MaineHousing, and the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
Broadband & Technology
Programs to expand the interconnection and economic viability of Maine communities through improved, robust, affordable and universally available high speed internet (broadband) and secure information systems.
Coordinating Agencies: Department of Economic and Community Development, Maine Connectivity Authority, Department of Administrative and Financial Services, and Maine Department of Transportation.
BIL Projects in Maine
With an estimated $2.5 billion available to Maine through both direct and competitive funds, the Mills Administration is committed to ensuring Maine people and communities receive the greatest possible benefit from BIL. For more about each category, visit the Categories page.
Project Highlights
- The Maine Department of Marine Resources has received nearly $20 million in BIL grants to improve fish passage for river herring and other species and enhance watershed health and local economic vitality in the St. Croix River and the Bay of Fundy.
- The Maine Connectivity Authority has received $5.5 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for broadband planning.
- The Department of Interior has awarded $5 million to the Passamaquoddy Tribe to help advance climate adaptation planning.
- The U.S. Department of Environmental Protection has awarded $13.3 million in grants to 13 school districts in Maine to purchase 34 electric school buses. See the awarded school districts here.
- MaineDOT, Efficiency Maine, Governor’s Energy Office, Maine DEP, and the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future have received Federal approval on a plan to investment in Maine's electric vehicle charging infrastructure (PDF) through National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment (NEVI) funds.
- The National Fish Passage Program has removed two dams, the Upper Town Dam and the Remnant Mill Dam from the Sabattus River, to eliminate public safety hazards, reduce flooding risk, restore parks and safe access to nature for disadvantaged communities, and restore passage for Federally endangered Atlantic salmon, river herring, and other species to important spawning habitat in the Androscoggin watershed.
Highlighted Funding Opportunities
The Mills Administration is committed to ensuring Maine people and communities receive the greatest possible benefit from BIL. This section contains BIL funding opportunities with the strongest potential for investment in Maine. Visit the Categories page for all active and upcoming BIL funding opportunities.
Transportation
Low or No Emission and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Programs. Competitive grants for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, including acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities. Applications open through April 13, 2023. Find more information here.
Energy Programs and Building Efficiency
Grants for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Improvements at Public School Facilities. A new competitive grant program to make energy efficiency, renewable energy, and alternative fueled vehicle upgrades and improvements at public schools. Program is now open. Find more information here.
Resilience and Environmental Protection
America the Beautiful Challenge. A competitive grant program that will provide funding to conserve, connect and restore lands, waters, and wildlife. Pre-proposals are due April 20, 2023. Find more information here.
Broadband and Technology
Rural And Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program. New program of cooperative agreements, contracts, or grants to rural electric cooperatives, municipally owned electric utilities, other state-owned utilities, or small investor-owned utilities. Find more information here.
BIL Resources
Information and guidance about BIL for interested parties in Maine.
Build.gov
Visit build.gov to view the latest federal information about BIL, state-level factsheets, and the technical assistance guides for communities.
Contact Us
Send us a question about BIL projects, funding opportunities, or implementation process using our online form.