The Maine Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD) accepts applications through its Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (BRLF) Program for cleanup loans and grants at Brownfields properties throughout Maine. Along with its technical partner, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Brownfields Program, the DECD BRLF Program will fund the cleanup of sites with hazardous wastes, preparing the sites for reuse.
Applications are being accepted now through Friday, August 28, 2026. A panel of staff from both agencies will review all applications, choosing the projects with the strongest applications. We anticipate that the “winners” will be informed by Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Please submit completed applications and supporting materials to DECD’s secure file transfer site: https://maineapp.portfol.com/SecureUpload/ and send a courtesy email to both TerryAnn.Holden@maine.gov and Christopher.Redmond@maine.gov notifying them of your submission.
This year, there is no “match” for the funding. EPA does require that more than 50% of the total funds issued by DECD’s BRLF Program will be in the form of a loan, so DECD will generally prioritize projects requesting at least 50% of the funding as a loan. The BRLF Program is able to provide attractive terms for loans. A municipality or a non-profit may request both grant and loan funds. Private entities are only eligible for loan funds. An applicant may request up to $500,000 per source (grant or loan). The BRLF Program may consider a higher request on a project-by-project basis. All requests exceeding the $500,000 cap must provide a written justification of why the extra funding is necessary and appropriate. If you request a certain amount of funding that DECD is not able to meet, please note in your application whether you would consider a smaller award, if DECD is able.
Because this is a competitive process, there are four major areas your application should address thoroughly to be successful:
- completeness of application.
- demonstration of an aggressive schedule for starting the project and using the funding.
- demonstrate leveraging of other funding and resources to ensure the completion of the project.
- explain how the remedial approach will result in a remedy that is durable resilient in the face of severe weather events.
Failure to adequately address any of these areas will affect the competitiveness of the application.
DECD and DEP are hopeful that we receive a number of good applications that we can fund. The amount of funding we obligate will depend on the quantity and quality of the applications we receive.
Please use the application (Word) (which has been revised), and read the eligibility criteria carefully. Please complete and include the RLF Eligibility Checklist (Word).