Best Grants for Rural Development in Maine

Public bodies, community-based nonprofits, and federally recognized Tribes in rural Maine can apply for USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities funding to purchase, construct, or improve essential community facilities and equipment. Support includes grants and low-interest loans for projects such as health care, public safety, community centers, and local food system infrastructure in eligible rural areas.

Maine rural development and arts organizations with budgets under $250,000 can seek funding for general operating support or arts-based projects that expand access to the arts in rural communities. Maine Community Foundation provides Maine groups, municipalities, public agencies, tribal governments, and fiscally sponsored projects with up to US $10,000, including limited indirect costs.

Maine rural microenterprise development organizations seeking capital and support for small business growth can access funding through the United States Department of Agriculture. This program offers up to US $500,000 in loans and grants to build rural microloan revolving funds and provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and microentrepreneurs.

Nonprofit and public entities in rural Maine can access funding to provide technical assistance, training, and infrastructure support for small rural businesses through USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business Development Grants, with awards from US $10,000 - US $500,000. Grants support enterprise and opportunity projects like business counseling, incubators, revolving loan funds, and community economic development.

Workforce Pilot

The Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan provides $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Maine Department of Transportation to support local, regional, and state workforce transportation pilot projects, especially in rural areas. Administered by MaineDOT’s Bureau of Planning, the department’s Workforce Transportation Pilot program is a competitive grant program that provides funds to support other workforce transportation pilot projects around the state. Funds may be used for capital and operating costs, including program start-up costs.

The Bureau of Planning anticipates a $750,000 award cap; however, that award cap is subject to change based on need and volume of applications. MaineDOT reserves the right to negotiate project scope and deliverables prior to finalizing awards. There is no minimum or maximum number of awards. Projects will be selected based on merit and the availability of funding.

While there is no application deadline, applicants are encouraged to submit projects as soon as possible. The Bureau of Planning will accept, evaluate, and make decisions on grant applications on an ongoing, rolling basis until all funds have been disbursed. In its evaluation process and awarding of funds, MaineDOT will consider that some applicants will be able to apply for funds sooner than others. In general, awarded projects should begin within four months of contract execution. This requirement can be waived based on circumstances as described by the applicant.

While projects may support transportation of workers from rural areas to more urban areas or centers of employment, the focus is on workforce transportation in rural areas. As such, some funds will be targeted specifically to connecting workers in rural areas to employment opportunities in rural areas.

Federal guidance provides that funds may be used to respond to COVID-19’s negative economic impacts on the tourism, travel, and hospitality industries. Other identified industries suffering comparable economic impacts include healthcare and social assistance; construction, trade, and logistics; manufacturing; education; agriculture, fishing, and forestry; information; and clean energy. Applicants must demonstrate that they are addressing challenges in these industries. Proposed initiatives must focus on workers and potential workers in these key industry sectors. MaineDOT staff will work with potential applicants to ensure that any proposals meet these requirements.

Applications may be submitted by employers or groups of employers, municipalities, non-profit organizations, human service organizations, and public/private transportation providers. Applicants are encouraged to engage with potential partners including, but not limited to, regional planning organizations, chambers of commerce and other business groups, county governments, workforce boards, and community action programs.

Rural Maine 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public agencies, schools, tribal governments, and fiscally sponsored groups can seek funding for collaborative rural development and health initiatives, including housing, broadband, workforce, and community planning. Elmina B. Sewall Foundation supports partnerships in regions like Katahdin and Washington County, offering US $10,000 - US $200,000 for organizational and multi-organization efforts.