The State of Maine has now awarded the last of the $60 million relief package approved last year in response to the destructive storms that swept through the state in the winter of 2023, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

This final round of funding, worth a total of $2 million, was allocated across 40 businesses and non-profit organizations throughout the state.

Distributed by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), this represents the second and final batch of awards to be given out through the Business Recovery and Resilience Fund (BRRF).

The BRRF was first established last year as part of the $60 million spending package approved by a bipartisan group of legislators and signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills (D).

As part of the initial round of funding, 109 Maine businesses and non-profits received a combined $8 million.

“The storms of last winter remain a stark reminder of the vulnerability our people, businesses, and communities to serious flooding, storm surge, heavy winds and lashing rains,” said Gov. Mills in a press release Monday.

“Recovering from the damage takes time, and I’m grateful to the Legislature for their support of the historic $60 million storm relief package enacted last year, which is continuing to help Maine businesses rebuild and be ready for the weather challenges of the future,” she said.

“Maine’s economy relies on the strength of its communities,” said Heather Johnson, Commissioner of the DECD.

“Helping businesses and nonprofits affected by the storms rebuild with stronger infrastructure benefits us all,” Commissioner Johnson said. “Supporting one another is deeply ingrained in our culture, and these grants have provided a crucial lifeline –preventing closures and improving long-term resilience against future challenges.”

Click Here to Read Gov. Mills’ Full Press Release

The overarching $60 million program was divided into two distinct parts: $50 million for the Infrastructure Adaptation Fund (IAF), and $10 million for the newly-established BRRF program.

Both of these initiatives received bipartisan support in Augusta, but lawmakers were divided along partisan lines over what would be the most appropriate source for the necessary funding.

While Democrat lawmakers backed the plan to utilize funds from the Budget Stabilization Fund (BSF), Republican legislators advocated for the money to be drawn from the unappropriated General Fund surplus.

Colloquially known as the Rainy Day Fund, the BSF is statutorily required to be used primarily as a reserve account to offset state expenses in the event of a General Fund revenue shortfall.

The BSF may also be used to to provide assistance to the families of fallen first responders or cover specifically-defined expenses during certain emergency situations.

Created in 2021, the IAF was first introduced by Mills’ as part of an effort to “empower communities in the fight against climate change.”

Money placed in the BRRF was intended to be used to provide “grant opportunities for businesses and organizations, including nonprofit organizations, affected by severe weather-related events.”

In response to these same storms, Mills signed an executive order establishing a commission to develop the state’s first plan for “long-term infrastructure resilience.”

According to the executive order, the ongoing effects of climate change will necessitate a continued investment in “recovery and rebuilding resources” because “extreme storms, inland and coastal flooding, and other natural hazards are projected to increase in frequency and severity as the climate warms.”

At the start of the current Legislative session, a bipartisan bill was introduced as LD 1 and aimed to implement the recommendations from the Maine Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission.

If approved, this bill would establish a new grant program for homeowners, as well as a fund to improve disaster communications and provide matching funds for federal disaster programs.

This legislation would also create the State Resilience Office to support efforts to reduce damage from severe storms and floods. Under this new office would be the Flood-Ready Maine Program which would be responsible for modernizing flood risk data and improving communication concerning the risk of flooding.

The Housing and Economic Development Committee has already held a public hearing and work session for this bill, so committee members can be expected to release their recommendations to the full legislature at some point in the coming weeks.