Governor Janet T. Mills (D) yesterday cut the ribbon on a new 16-unit affordable apartment complex in downtown Newcastle.

The project is part of the Rural Affordable Rental Housing Program, created by Governor Mills in 2021 through her Maine Jobs & Reovery PLan, which over the past three years has supported the construction of more than 400 new apartments in Maine communities from Sanford to Pesque Isle.

“Whether someone is retired, working full time, looking to rent an apartment in a rural town, or to buy their first home in a city, there should be a place for that person in Maine,” said Governor Mills.  “These new apartments, appropriately built to match the character and charm of Newcastle, will help this community thrive.  Whlle the need for housing in our state is still significant, I am proud of the apartments and homes that we have built for Maine families so far.”

Support for the Newastle project stems from funding proposed by Governor Mills and authorized by the Legislature in 2023 and administered through MaineHousing.  The two 8-unit apartment buildings were built by KBS homes in South Paris and feature Maine-made wood-fiber insulation manufactured by Timber HP in Madison.

“This affordablel housing project is a powerful example of what’s possible when a community plans ahead and works together,” said Tor Glendinning, Chair of the Newcastle Select Board.  “A decade ago, we questioned whether growth was even in Newcastle’s future — now we can’t build fast enough.  The foundations laid through our comprehensive plan and the overhaul of our zoning code are paying off.  There’s stil much to do — rising costs and housing challenges won’t be solved by policy alone, so we’re especially grateful to MaineHousing with the continued financial support of Governor Mills and the Legislature as well as the developer and his team for taking the risk to make this one a reality.”