Maine Development Foundation launches program for rural community, economic revitalization

13 Maine counties considered distressed, including Knox, Lincoln, Waldo

Fri, 10/09/2026 - 10:10am

The Maine Development Foundation (MDF) has launched the Thriving Community Model (TCM), a new pilot program to serve rural Maine communities that have experienced the closure of mill or other biomass/forest products facility, and/or supply chain disruptions that impact jobs, small businesses, community revenue and services, and morale.

According to MDF, in a news release, the program will take a holistic approach to community and economic revitalization by helping communities identify and strengthen key economic development opportunities and assets.

As part of the pilot, four communities will be selected to participate in an 18-24 month process that will include:

A comprehensive Community Assessment to evaluate their economic, workforce, and community assets and needs.
A Comprehensive Assessment Report (CAR) which will identify baseline metrics for leveraging physical assets, economic vitality (business and entrepreneur), community and social wellness, and workforce and education. The CAR will then outline actionable strategies for achieving economic stability and growth. Potential strategies may include approaches to attracting and retaining workers, support for local entrepreneurs, and models for achieving other community-driven priorities including business expansion, housing development, and downtown revitalization.
$50,000 in grant funding to implement a community project and/or access customized technical assistance.
Leadership training through MDF’s Institute for Civic Leadership program.

“There is no one-size-fits-all response to a mill closure,” says Rosie Vanadestine, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President with MDF, in the news release. “Every region experiences disruptions differently and has its own strengths, challenges, and priorities. TCM starts by meeting communities where they are and helping them determine what they need to move toward economic recovery, revitalization, and resilience. We then connect them to the network of expertise, services, funding, and other supports that can help them build a sustainable future.”

The TCM pilot program is funded by the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC). MDF will partner with the Maine Office of Community Affairs, Maine Redevelopment, and Maine Department of Economic and Community Development to manage the program.

Thirteen of Maine’s 16 counties are considered distressed by NBRC: Androscoggin, Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo, and Washington. Communities in these counties which have experienced adverse effects of biomass/forest product facility closures and/or supply chain disruptions are eligible to participate in the TCM pilot program. Municipalities with populations under 5,000 and those who have never benefited from NBRC funding will be prioritized.

Interested communities are invited to attend an informational webinar on October 27, 2026, from 2:00-3:30PM. TCM information and registration for the webinar are available here. To be considered for participation in this program, please complete the Letter of Interest Form by November 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

MDF is a non-partisan, statewide driver of sustainable economic growth in Maine. We connect people, decisionmakers, and communities through trusted research, leadership development, and creative partnerships to stimulate new ideas, solve problems, and improve the lives of all Mainers. To learn more about MDF, visit www.mdf.org.