PRESS RELEASE: Stabilize Now, Plan What’s Next: Maine Redevelopment Awards $68,203 in Lightning Grants

10.2.26 Fall 2026 Lightning Grants Maine Redevelopment PR

Augusta, ME – October 2, 2026 – The Maine Redevelopment is pleased to announce $68,203 awarded in its latest round of Lightning Stabilization Grants to the following Maine communities:
• Town of Brooks – $25,000 to stabilize exterior windows and doors of the Morse Memorial School while the town determines a long-term redevelopment plan.
• Town of Fort Fairfield – $23,203 to replace windows in the town office planned for future economic development use.
• Main Street Skowhegan – $20,000 for roof and brick repairs at the former fire station, which will serve as Main Street Skowhegan’s office, gear hub, and programming base.

Maine Redevelopment’s Lightning Stabilization Grants provide a rapid way to help municipalities address distressed properties whose stabilization or reuse would provide significant public benefit. These assets may be at significant risk, potentially approaching the point of no longer being viable for reuse. The Lightning Stabilization Grant is intended to “pause” the decline and create time for planning and revitalization efforts to begin or continue. These funds are not intended to fund full rehabilitation, environmental cleanup, or deferred maintenance by a current owner. The focus is on stabilization to facilitate reuse. These match-free grant awards are up to $25,000.

“Maine Redevelopment’s grant funding and technical assistance are invaluable to the Town of Brooks. This stabilization work is an important first step that will pave the way for the next chapter for the former school building,” said Ray Quimby, member of the Morse Development and Operations Committee.

Maine Redevelopment has the unique ability to combine grant funding with tailored municipal technical assistance from program staff. Maine Redevelopment works with the grant recipients to identify viable reuse strategies and follow-on funding sources that may further support the project after stabilization work is completed.

“Securing this Lightning Stabilization Grant is a critical step forward for Fort Fairfield. By addressing vital exterior repairs on our Community Center, originally constructed as an armory, we are halting its deterioration and giving our town the runway needed to realize its full economic and community potential. We are deeply grateful to Maine Redevelopment for investing in our town’s future,” said Aaron Huotari, Fort Fairfield’s Town Manager.

Maine Redevelopment was encouraged by the volume of competitive proposals received this round. The oversubscription reflects both the need for the program and the challenges communities across Maine face in moving stuck properties toward reuse.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Maine Redevelopment for investing in the future of Skowhegan’s historic fire station,” said Kristina Cannon, President & CEO of Main Street Skowhegan. “This building has served our community for generations, and this investment will help us preserve an important piece of Skowhegan’s history while giving it new life as a hub for entrepreneurship, outdoor recreation, workforce development, and community revitalization.”

Scott LaFlamme, Executive Director of Maine Redevelopment, highlighted the value of the program in helping communities move important redevelopment projects forward. “Having dedicated much of my career to municipal government, I know firsthand how difficult it can be for communities to balance limited budgets with the need to address aging and underutilized properties. I’m excited that Maine Redevelopment can support Brooks, Fort Fairfield, and Main Street Skowhegan as they move these important projects forward.”

For more information or to learn how you can support these projects, please contact the grant recipients directly. If your community is interested in applying for the spring round of the Lightning Stabilization Grant program (deadline March 31, 2027), please contact Rose Nelson at rnelson@maineredevelopment.org for the guidelines and application documents.
To learn more about how Maine Redevelopment can assist your community, please visit www.maineredevelopment.org or email info@maineredevelopment.org.

About the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank: Maine Redevelopment was established by statute by the State of Maine as a quasi-governmental organization to partner with communities in addressing vacant, abandoned, and complex properties that are often beyond local capacity to resolve. Our mission is to partner with communities to revitalize properties and reimagine their potential for Maine’s future. Through its four core program areas, Municipal Technical Assistance, Brownfields Redevelopment, Land Banking, and Special Projects, the organization delivers the tools, partnerships, and expertise needed to move challenging properties toward productive reuse. This work helps strengthen local economies, restore property value, and support more vibrant and resilient communities across Maine. www.maineredevelopment.org