The Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission received a $100,000 project grant award from the US Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service on March 19, 2021 to support the Rural Energy for America Program. The Rural Energy for America Program provides grants of up to 25% of project costs and loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems development. With this funding, the Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission will help deliver energy audits and promote renewable energy projects for rural communities in Maine through March 2022 in alignment with the goals of the Rural Energy for America Program to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy usage.