Planning & Development News

Resilient Bath Climate Action



Bath to Create Robust Community Climate Action Plan

City Seeks Input from Community

June 27, 2024

BATH, ME – Bath has officially launched Resilient Bath, an initiative to create an updated community Climate Action Plan (CAP) and chart a course towards a safer, stronger future for everyone.

The Resilient Bath Plan will lay out smart, practical strategies to reduce planet-warming climate pollution (greenhouse gas emissions) while investing in solutions like clean energy and building resilience to the climate change impacts that most affect Bath residents, like more intense storms, increased flooding, and unprecedented seasonal temperature changes.

“The City of Bath has been working on climate action items for over a decade, and most recently highlighted climate action as a major goal in its 2023 Comprehensive Plan. The CAP update effort recognizes that the challenges posed by a changing climate go far beyond City Hall and need to include broader action from the community to prepare for our shared future,” said Rod Melanson, the City’s Director of Sustainability & Environment.

The City kicked off the Resilient Bath planning process in January 2024 and aims to complete it in the fall. The City is gathering community input as part of this process, which includes participating in events and presentations and hosting a series of Advisory Groups comprised of local stakeholders, City Staff, and focus area experts. This input will help the City shape the Plan’s goals, strategies, and actions to best reflect the needs of the community.

“While this Plan will be engaging the community in smaller focused events and groups, it recognizes that continued community engagement goes well beyond the plan development,” said Melanson.


“Bath needs you to be involved! Keep an eye out for upcoming meetings and events, and share our resource page so that your neighbors are aware of all that is happening,” said Melanson.

Resilient Bath’s newly launched website cityofbathmaine.gov/ResilientBath provides an overview of the Plan timeline, focus areas, and ways that stakeholders can stay engaged throughout the process. The City will update the website regularly to keep the community informed of its progress.

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Contact: Rod Melanson, Director of Sustainability & Environment

Phone: 207.443.8363

Email: rmelanson@cityofbath.com

Website: https://www.cityofbathmaine.gov/ResilientBath


MCLP - Summer 2023 Update


August 2, 2023

By: Emily Reed, Summer Government Intern 2023, Muskie School of Public Policy 


In May 2022, Bath Development Corporation identified a need for a business loan program to support Bath-based businesses start and grow. This sparked the idea for the Micro Capital Loan Program which provides loans up to $7,500 for local businesses. This loan was designed to increase positive economic development in Bath, both with new and existing businesses. The loans are low-interest rates (current short-term adjusted applicable Federal Rate) for one-time capital costs. Since the start of the program, BDC has successfully been able to give out loans to four organizations: Maine’s First Ship, OystHERS Raw Bar and Bubbly, Soft Corner Midwifery, and Long Reach Painting Company. 


Each business has different needs the loan was able to meet. Soft Corner Midwifery used their BDC loan for desperately needed small medical equipment. OystHERS Raw Bar and Bubbly put their loan towards a glass cleaner and part of the ice machine they purchased. Long Reach Painting Company used the loan to purchase large equipment materials. Maine’s First Ship put the funds towards dock replacement materials.

Bath Development Corporation is looking forwards to supporting more Bath-based businesses over the next year and beyond. To learn more and read program success stories use this link: 

City of Bath, Maine - Micro Capital Loan Program




General Information
Phone Numbers
207-443-8363
Emergencies: Dial 911
Location
55 Front Street
Bath,
ME
04530