State Assistance Programs
Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund
The Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund (MIAF) provides one-time funding to municipal, tribal, and infrastructure districts to adapt their critical infrastructure to reduce vulnerability to climate change. All projects must demonstrate increased resilience to future storm and flooding impacts. MIAF applicants may request up to $75,000 to support scoping and design and up to $4 million for direct construction costs or to support matching funds for construction. Applicants are required to provide at least five percent local match.
Business Recovery and Resilience Fund
The Business Recovery and Resilience Fund provides grants for businesses and organizations, including nonprofit organizations, that have been affected by severe weather-related events. Business and non-profit applicants may request up to $100,000 toward design, permitting and construction costs for their project. Projects receiving grants may include a recovery component for damage sustained and must include efforts to increase business resilience to future storms and other climate conditions.
Working Waterfront Resilience Grant Program
Applications for funding to help repair and rebuild working waterfronts damaged by the winter storms. Funding will be made available to help rebuild wharves and piers that provide a “significant and compelling community benefit” to Maine’s commercial fishing and aquaculture industries.
Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission
The Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission has been created by Executive Order of Governor Janet Mills to review and evaluate Maine’s response to the recent storms, identify crucial areas for near-term investment and policy needs, and develop the state’s first long-term infrastructure plan to ensure that Maine is ready for harsh storms ahead.
The Commission will engage with communities, industries, and organizations to understand challenges following storms, identify and bridge gaps in resources like funding, financing, and insurance, how to improve the resilience of energy systems and propose new approaches to improve disaster recovery and response and strengthen resilience supports at the state, regional, and local levels.
The Commission is comprised of 24 individuals, including State and local officials, representatives of affected communities, businesses, and industries, and experts in infrastructure, construction, engineering, electrical utilities, floodplain management, financing, philanthropy, emergency response, and climate science. It is supported by staff from the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future and the Maine Emergency Management Agency.
The Commission will deliver its first report on near-term rebuilding and resilience priorities by November 2024, followed by a long-term resilience plan for Maine in May 2025.
For more about the Commission, its upcoming meetings, and to sign up to receive email updates, please visit its website: https://www.maine.gov/future/infrastructure-commission
News Updates
August 8, 2024: Governor Mills Announces Nearly $6 Million in Business Recovery & Resilience Grants for 109 Maine Businesses Impacted by Severe Winter Storms
July 22, 2024: Governor Mills Announces $21.2 Million in Resilience Grants for 68 Maine Working Waterfronts Damaged by Winter Storms
May 24, 2024: Governor Mills Announces President Biden’s Approval of Major Disaster Declaration for April Nor’easter
May 21, 2024: Governor Mills Signs Executive Order to Establish Commission on Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience
May 16, 2024: Governor Mills Announces Opening of Storm Relief Funding Applications for Small Businesses and Municipalities
May 9, 2024: Governor Mills Announces Applications for Funding to Help Working Waterfront Properties Rebuild from Winter Storms
April 18, 2024: Governor Mills Directs Administration to Prepare to Distribute $60 Million in Storm Relief as Soon as Funding Becomes Available
March 20, 2024: Governor Mills Announces President Biden’s Approval of Major Disaster Declaration for January Storms
Feb. 27, 2024: Kennebec County Approved for Federal Funding to Repair Public Infrastructure Damaged by December Storm
Feb. 23, 2024: Governor Mills Requests Major Disaster Declaration from President Biden for Damage Caused by January Storms and Coastal Flooding
Feb. 9, 2024: Governor Mills Moves to Expedite $50 Million Proposal to Rebuild & Enhance Infrastructure Resiliency
Feb. 5, 2024: IRS: Maine taxpayers impacted by severe storms and flooding qualify for tax relief; various deadlines postponed to June 17
Storm Recovery Programs & Guidance
Working Waterfront Recovery
The Maine Department of Marine Resouces has compiled this list of financial and technical assistance resources to support the recovery of Maine's working waterfronts from the January storms.
Insurance Resources
The Maine Bureau of Insurance has several resources to help Maine people navigate insurance questions during flooding and natural disasters.
Permitting Guidance
The Maine Department of Enviromental Protection has compiled guidance for property owners regarding permitting and rebuilding as part of storm recovery. Visit the DEP's online resources here, or download the PDF.
Flood Cleanup
During flooding, basement fuel oil tanks can float and release oil. If you have an oil spill requiring cleanup, Maine DEP can often provide cleanup services at little or no cost to you. This service is available after any weather event. Request it by calling Maine DEP at 1-800-482-0777. The line is staffed 24/7.
FEMA Financial Assistance
These grants can help cover the cost of temporary housing, home repairs, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses, medical, dental, funeral expenses.
SBA Disaster Loans for Homeowners and Renters
Homeowners and renters may be eligible for a low-interest loan from the SBA to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles. Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property. To apply: sba.gov/disaster.
Business Physical Disaster Loans
Low-interest loans from the SBA are available to help businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible. To apply: sba.gov/disaster.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans
Low-interest capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period. For more information and eligibility visit sba.gov.
Storm Resiliency Programs & Guidance
Community Resilience Partnership
Through grants and direct support to municipal and tribal governments and unorganized territories, the Community Resilience Partnership assists Maine communities to become more resilient to climate change effects such as extreme weather, flooding, rising sea levels, public health impacts, and more. See partner communities and projects across Maine.
Maine Infrastructure Adapation Fund
The Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund provides direct funding to municipalities, tribes, and state agencies to adapt their critical infrastructure to reduce vulnerability to climate effects such as extreme strosm, rising sea levels, inland and coastal flooding. Grants are administered by the Maine Department of Transportation.
Efficiency Maine Resources
Efficiency Maine has numerous rebates and incentives that may ease some of the financial burden on Maine residents and businesses who are trying to repair, replace, and rebuild their homes and buildings in the wake of recent destructive storms.