MAINE — GrowSmart Maine is pleased to announce the receipt of two grants from the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation in support of its mission; to build lasting prosperity without sacrificing the quality of life that define Maine.

GrowSmart Maine and the Maine Downtown Center, a program of the Maine Development Foundation, have partnered together in creating an online resource for Mainers to strengthen their hometowns with the vision of future generations willing and able to call Maine home. The Elmina B Sewall Foundation has granted $100,000 for community outreach, events, and project funding to bring Making Headway in Your Community to towns across the state.

Making Headway in Your Community is a statewide, searchable inventory of resource organizations and community-level projects, with the goal of helping Mainers respond to growth and change by building stronger communities and a sustainable economy while protecting productive natural areas, all enjoyed by more active and healthy Mainers. This resource can be found at http://www.makingheadway.me/

Lorain Francis, Program Director for the Maine Downtown Center said “In the coming year we will work with five communities that have demonstrated a strong need for this program and the readiness to create one simple, small project to breathe new life into a larger initiative that impacts the economy, design, health, and connections of that town.”

In addition, GrowSmart Maine received a two-year grant of $40,000 from the Elmina B Sewall Foundation for advocacy and events that support the mission. Events include a yearly statewide convening and monthly smart growth tours and forums. GrowSmart Maine advocates for policies and investments to strengthen Maine’s communities and economy while conserving the productive and scenic natural areas.

“We are thrilled with the confidence that The Elmina B. Sewall Foundation has placed in our work. GrowSmart Maine’s mission is grounded within the connections between conservation of natural resources, community revitalization and economic development.“