Sen. Curry announces $820,742 in Community Action Grants awarded to communities in Waldo County

Posted: September 17, 2026 | Senator Curry

The funds awarded will support storm recovery and resilience projects to protect Maine people, businesses and infrastructure.

AUGUSTA — Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast, is pleased to announce that nine communities in Senate District 11 have been awarded a combined $820,742 through the May and September 2026 rounds of the Community Action Grants from the Community Resilience Partnership. The partnership, administered by the Maine Office of Community Affairs, helps Maine communities transition to clean energy and become more resilient to climate effects, including severe storms and flooding.

September awards totaling $516,071

  • Belfast — $80,000 to upgrade and redesign the harbor breakwater to address worsening storms and sea level rise.
  • Freedom — $80,000 for stream crossing upgrades, a “Complete Streets” policy to ensure streets are safe for everyone and support local economies and natural environments, as well as energy audits for municipal buildings.
  • Islesboro — $75,000 to support efforts to make Islesboro 100% fossil fuel free with equitable, low-cost and emergency-resilient local electricity.
  • Liberty — $75,000 for the restoration of the Walker Building to provide community services, including an emergency warming and cooling center.
  • Northport — $51,531 for a community energy efficiency program.
  • Searsmont — $79,540 for an evaluation of roads and drainage systems in the town.
  • Stockton Springs — $75,000 for a multipronged approach to reducing municipal emissions.

May awards totaling $304,671

  • Belfast — $80,000 for the Heritage Park shoreline restoration design project.
  • Lincolnville — $79,962 for a harbor resilience assessment and visioning project.
  • Northport — $70,685 for a townwide stormwater assessment and food waste composting pilot program.
  • Searsport — $74,024 for shoreline stabilization and communications improvements.

“When a storm washes out a road or knocks out the power, it can quickly become an emergency for families trying to get to work, reach a doctor or stay safe,” said Sen. Curry. “These grants will help communities across Waldo County prepare for those situations while finding ways to reduce energy costs. I’m grateful to the local officials and volunteers who know the needs in their communities and put in the work to develop these projects.”

The most recent round of grant funding, awarded earlier this month, is the second set this year and seventh overall. It will support projects in 72 communities with $4.7 million in total awards. A complete list of awardees is available through the Maine Office of Community Affairs. The previous round, which was announced in May of this year, supported projects in 76 Maine communities with over $5 million awarded. A complete list of those awardees is available here.

Funding for the grants comes from several sources, including measures passed by the Maine Legislature with Sen. Curry’s support:

  • The Supplemental Budget that was passed by the Legislature in 2024 to increase community resilience and preparedness in the wake of the December 2023 and January 2024 storms;
  • Funds from the biennial budget authorized by the Legislature in 2023; and
  • A federal grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Sen. Chip Curry is serving his third term representing Senate District 11, which includes all of Waldo County. He serves as the Senate chair of the Legislature’s Housing and Economic Development Committee and as a member of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.

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