FORT KENT, Maine — Maine must reapply for $3 million in federal funding after the U.S. Department of Transportation says that technical issues prevented the completion of grant applications filed in late March to a program that supports rural and tribal projects.
Maine filed two applications during that time, which together would have provided $3 million to cover the costs of engineering studies in the communities of Fort Kent, Van Buren, Pittsfield and Norway.
While Maine has been dealing with the disruption of various types of federal funding since the new Trump administration began investigating the state over its transgender athlete policy earlier this winter, it does not appear that this cancellation of the transportation grants is related to that dispute or limited to Maine.
In a note on its website, U.S. DOT said that technical issues prevented applications from getting completed between March 18 and March 21 for the federal Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program. These issues have temporarily closed the program, and U.S. DOT said that applications will need to be resubmitted once the portal reopens. A new application opening date has yet to be determined.
“Due to technical issues applicants experienced when attempting to apply for Rural and Tribal Assistance Program funding, the application portal has been closed,” the website states. “The RTA program will not review any applications submitted and no grants will be awarded from applications submitted during the portal opening between March 18 and March 21, 2025.”
The agency added, “We appreciate the efforts of communities to prepare applications and regret any inconvenience.”
According to Maine DOT, the grants did not require any matching funds from the state or communities. They were to cover engineering costs for the state agency’s Village Partnership Initiative program, which provides communities with once-in-a-generation improvements to village center and downtown areas.
The program brings improvements that showcase the personality, character and history of communities while emphasizing the safety of people who are walking, bicycling or driving a vehicle.
This closure canceled a $750,000 grant application for Pittsfield, and a $2.25 million grant application that would have covered engineering for Norway, Fort Kent and Van Buren.
Maine DOT spokesperson Damian Veilleux said that the agency has not experienced any other issues when submitting for federal grants this year.
The application process should also be unchanged when the issues are resolved.
“There was no indication provided by USDOT that there would be new submission standards or requirements,” Veilleux said.
The federal transportation website stated that it will announce the new application date when it is available, and that an announcement will also be made on grants.gov and via LinkedIn.
Maine DOT “anticipates additional funding opportunities later this year as USDOT updates priorities and guidance under the new administration,” Veilleux said.
