10/19/2026
The information below is about an opportunity for our community through the Maine Development Foundation. The Thriving Community Model (TCM) is an 18-24 month pilot program for small rural towns that have experienced a mill closure or biomass supply chain disruption, like Jay. Towns under 5000 people are prioritized. Selected communities will receive a full community assessment report and $50,000 to carry out a project from the report. Selected communities build local leadership capacity through two seats in MDF’s Institute for Civic Leadership (ICL) and receive technical assistance tailored to support community-identified priorities. It's not one-size-fits-all. It meets communities where they are and connects them to state agencies, funding opportunities and partners that can help turn local priorities into action.
We'd like to gauge our community's interest in participating in this program. There is an informational webinar on Oct. 27th for those interested in learning more. This is a great opportunity but it will require a commitment from community members willing to participate in the 18-24 month process.
If this is something that you, or someone you know, might be interested in, please reach out to us and share your thoughts (either PM or email to [email protected]). If we receive feedback supporting this effort, we'll seek Board approval to apply. Please feel free to share this with others who might be interested.
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MDF Announces New Program for Communities Impacted by Facility Closures and Supply Chain Disruptions
AUGUSTA, Maine – The Maine Development Foundation (MDF) is pleased to launch 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. 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 ICL (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. “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 is available here: https://www.mdf.org/program-partnerships/thriving-community-model/. To be considered for participation in this program, please complete the Letter of Interest Form by November 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
