January 17, 2025
6 The Weekly Sentinel
WS
tech talk
SMPDC Offering Free Web Design, Bookkeeping Help for Nonprofits
STATEWIDE Nonprofit organizations and small businesses in York County, Southern Oxford County, and the town of Baldwin are encouraged to apply for free technical assistance for bookkeeping and/ or website design services. This is the third and final round of grants being offered through the Economic Recovery Hub Program by the Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (SMPDC) and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (MDECD) with original funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Awarded businesses and nonprofits will receive direct support from experts to update, expand, or build a new website and/or to update, improve, or establish a bookkeeping system using primarily QuickBooks. Applicants may receive one or both of these services. Training will also be provided so that the awardee is able to use any new systems successfully going forward. The awards are normally valued at between $2,500 to $3,500, but are free to award recipients. “The continuation of our high-impact Economic Recovery Hub Program into 2025 will allow us to provide our region’s small businesses with the resources they need to expand their customer base and increase their bottom line through the work of our expert technical assistance providers. We believe that this round of applications – our third – will be our best yet,” said SMPDC Director of Strategic Ini-
tiatives, James Rather. SMPDC has partnered with four web design firms and several bookkeepers to work with recipients. Once a match is made, the providers will develop a work plan and will be paid directly by SMPDC once work is completed. Said Rather, “It’s a simple application process and no financial information is required.” According to Rather, business owners will be notified as soon as their applications are processed, usually within a couple of weeks. Past recipients have been very pleased with the expert assistance provided by professionals under contract with SMPDC. “I am really happy with the new website. It looks spectacular,” said Susanne Lillis, owner of the White Sails Inn in Kennebunk, who received a grant last year. Another past awardee, Nibblesford in Biddeford, even saw direct benefits to sales. “They helped us create a new site that linked to our POS, took care of all the backend work, and moved over our domain. We’ve doubled our charcuterie board sales since they were able to link them. They’re now easy to find and order. So, all in all, super, super helpful.” said owner Ian Kern. Businesses and nonprofits are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed and awards will be granted on a first-come, firstserved basis, until March 31, 2025, or until the program funding runs out. Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (SMPDC) is a non-partisan nonprofit and regional planning
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$5.2 Million for Rural Clean Energy Projects in Maine STATEWIDE Recently, federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for clean energy initiatives across Maine was allotted, including $8.7 million to help Maine’s Fox Islands advance their ambitious clean energy goals and more than $5.2 million in Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) funding to support local businesses in their transition to clean energy. The funding for Fox Islands Electric Cooperative’s (FIEC) project, made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act and the USDA’s Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program, will fund significant upgrades to the Fox Islands Wind project and the installation of a solar array on Vinalhaven, increasing energy independence, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and lowering energy costs for the rural island communities. The funding will allow the FIEC to modern-
agency that cultivates thriving, sustainable communities and strengthens local governments by leading planning and economic development for 39 member cities and towns in Southern Maine. The agency was founded in 1964 to provide planning and economic development services to municipalities located in York, southern Oxford and Cumberland Counties. SMPDC offers a coordinated effort for land use, smart growth, resource management, environmental sustainability, and transportation planning. For more information and an application, visit www.smpdc.org/ hubprogram.
ize its wind turbines and diversify its energy generation with solar power—steps that will help meet growing local energy demands and reduce reliance on mainland power. “The Fox Islands have been pioneers in rural clean energy since 2008, when nearly 99 percent of cooperative members voted to develop wind power for our islands,” said Representative Chellie Pingree, in support of the funding. “North Haven and Vinalhaven will [now] be able to take the next big step forward in energy independence and climate action. By upgrading wind turbines and adding solar power, these rural island communities will be able to meet growing energy demands while significantly reducing both greenhouse gas emissions and costs for island residents.” The ERA program, created through the Inflation Reduction Act, is a key part of the BidenHarris Administration’s efforts to support climate-smart initiatives in rural communities. The Fox Islands project is an example of how federal investments can help advance energy resiliency, reduce emissions, and support rural economies. “In just two years, the New ERA and PACE programs have created dozens of new partnerships with rural electric cooperatives and communities that will reduce pollution, create jobs and make clean energy more affordable for millions of rural Americans,” said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. “These investments we’re making today will continue to support the health, prosperity and well-being of rural Americans for generations to come.”
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USDA has also awarding $120 million in REAP grants and loans for 516 projects in 39 states, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This program helps farmers and small business owners make energy efficiency improvements and expand their use of wind, solar and other forms of clean energy. REAP funding for projects across the state includes: $5,025,000 for Alna Community Solar LLC to build a 2.7 MW DC ground-mounted solar project located in rural Alna. It is expected to produce 3,600,278 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity in the first full year of operation. $21,000 for Monhegan Brewing Company LLC to install a new 8.2-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system with battery storage. The system is expected to save the business $6,754 in annual energy costs. $51,000 for Brunswick Town Holdings LLC, a small commercial real estate company in Gray, to install a new 39 kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The system is expected to generate 51,710 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually. $44,950 for Grovest 101 LLC, a small real estate business located in Wiscasset, to install a new 30.6-kilowatt (kW) roofmounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The project is expected to generate 39,260 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually. $75,000 for PKS Woodworks LLC, a third-generation woodworking company located in South Berwick, to install a new 52.8-kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The system is expected to save $10,479 in annual energy costs. “These investments are a testament to the effectiveness of the REAP program in supporting rural communities’ transition to renewable energy,” said Pingree. “By reducing energy costs, these projects enable local businesses to reinvest in their operations and workforce, fostering economic growth and sustainability in Maine. The success of REAP funding across Maine highlights the program’s substantial impact in supporting rural communities with renewable energy initiatives. These projects not only contribute to our state’s climate goals but also provide direct economic benefits to local businesses and consumers.” In addition to the five projects in Maine’s First District, this latest round of REAP grants will include funding for 12 projects in Maine’s Second District. For more information, visit www.pingree.house.gov/contact or call 207-774-5019.
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