At the start of the month, Governor Janet Mills announced the award of $8 million in grant funding through the state’s Community Resilience Partnership (CRP) to help communities protect people, businesses, and infrastructure from flooding, storm surge, and other climate effects. Three Island Institute Fellows—Claire Oxford, Thomas McClellan, and Alice Cockerham—helped their host communities apply for, and receive, thousands in Community Action Grant (CAG) funding. Because of their support, multiple coastal and island communities in Maine will be able to invest in essential climate resilience measures.
Island Institute’s Fellows program is a cornerstone of the organization’s work to build capacity in Maine’s island and coastal communities—places that have long met challenges with creativity and grit. As these communities face mounting pressures, from climate change to economic shifts, Fellows bring added capacity, fresh energy, and new perspectives to support locally driven solutions.
We asked Claire, Thomas, and Alice to share how these grants will directly support their island host community. Here’s what they said:
Claire Oxford, James S. and Joanne M. Cooney Island Fellow on North Haven
“The Town of North Haven was awarded a $75,000 Community Action Grant to support engineering design and community engagement for a saltwater intrusion mitigation project in Fresh Pond––the island’s reservoir. Through this grant, we will be able to create a community-informed adaptation plan and design for a culvert and section of low-lying road currently at-risk of saltwater flooding into the municipal water source.”
Thomas McClellan, Willoughby I. “Toby” Stuart Island Fellow on Monhegan
“The Monhegan Plantation was awarded a $75,000 Community Action Grant to conduct a wave attenuation model for Monhegan Island’s Harbor. The model will inform the condition assessment and redesign of Monhegan’s only breakwater which protects Fish Beach, the sole landing point for fishermen and all vehicular access to the island.”
Alice Cockerham, Hancock County Fellow
“The Sullivan Community Action Grant includes $62,000 in funding for 4 projects: a culvert vulnerability assessment; updating digital tax parcel maps; outreach and communication for the warming/cooling center; and funding for the facilitation of the newly formed Schoodic Area League of Towns.
“In Sorrento, we received $65,800 in funding to re-engineer Ocean Ave in the context of sea level rise and storm surge and plan for the creation of a reliable warming/cooling center in the Sorrento Community Building.”
Island Institute’s Fellows program is part of the organization’s broader efforts to sustain Maine’s coastal and island communities by connecting them to resources, capital, talent, and new perspectives to grow stronger in a changing world. Adding capacity helps these small communities apply for, and receive, funding to bolster climate resiliency work. This success story is a testament to the Fellows’ essential work.
Congratulations to these communities—and to the Fellows working alongside them—on an important step toward greater climate resiliency.
