Building Community Strength
Creating inclusive, strategic, and fundable plans that deliver tangible results for our communities.
Building Community Strength is a three-year Planning Capacity Training Program delivering financial and technical assistance to ten communities across Maine. The initiative is grounded in Smart Growth and will help communities identify local assets and projects, develop strategic plans, and access necessary funding. By design, this program builds local capacity that will continue to serve communities beyond the span of the program.
Ten communities have enrolled in the program: Calais, Danforth, Enfield, Houlton, Machias, Mexico, Presque Isle, Roque Bluffs, Skowhegan, and Winn. Trainees from each municipality will tackle issues such as climate resilience, economic development, farm viability and farmland protection, affordable housing, and equitable and inclusive community development. The program will also train participants in researching and applying for state, federal, and private funding.