SKOWHEGAN — The long planned Skowhegan River Park has its final environmental permits in hand, after years of work with federal and state regulators.

The next hurdle for the project, which is a key part of efforts to revitalize Skowhegan’s economy and develop the town as an outdoor recreation destination: raising enough money.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued the River Park project a permit under the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection has issued a permit under the Natural Resource Protection Act, the local economic development nonprofit Main Street Skowhegan said in a news release Wednesday.

“Our project team has been working with these agencies for three years, which has delayed construction,” Kristina Cannon, president and CEO of Main Street Skowhegan and project manager for the river park, said in a statement. “We’re excited to get the green light and to begin mobilizing for construction.”

Overall plans for the project, formerly known as Run of River, include improved river access, whitewater paddling and surfing features, and other recreation infrastructure, including a riverfront boardwalk and a four-season trail system, along the Kennebec River.

Supporters believe the River Park will play a key role in efforts to develop Skowhegan into a regional outdoor destination.

Main Street Skowhegan has been spearheading the development, although the River Park is technically a town project. The nonprofit has said it is aiming to have no burden on local taxpayers and ultimately redistribute the local tax burden over time by attracting new visitors, residents and businesses, diversifying the local economy and growing the tax base through increased investment and property values.

Initial discussions in town about the project date back more than a decade.

The permitting process with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began in 2022, but it has taken longer than organizers had expected.

In 2024, Cannon said she was hopeful the project would have its permit by the end of the year.

In early 2025, she said she hoped that with permits in hand in the first half of this year, construction would have been able to begin this summer.

Now, Cannon said, construction of the first phase — which will include river access on the south bank and the Northeast’s only adjustable surf and kayak wave — is expected to start in early 2026, beginning with the access road. In-river work is slated to begin in July 2026, she said. Orono-based Sargent Corp. is the contractor.

The design from McLaughlin Whitewater of Denver, Colorado, is about 90% complete, she said.

Main Street Skowhegan says, so far, it has secured $6.1 million to start construction of Phase 1 of the kayak and surf park.

That figure includes $4.89 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, about $1 million from Skowhegan’s Sappi tax increment financing agreement and about $200,000 from the nonprofit. The federal dollars were not affected by funding freezes and other moves in Washington, D.C., this year under the administration of President Donald Trump, Cannon said.

Cannon said the cost of the project has gone up due to permitting and timeline delays. She said she does not have an up-to-date cost estimate.

“We’re actively in conversation with several funders and remain optimistic about closing the gap,” Cannon said in a statement. “Momentum is on our side, and we’re committed to making this vision a reality for Skowhegan.”

Construction of a separate part of the overall River Park project, the riverfront promenade, is expected to begin in the fall, Cannon said. That project is in the final stages of permitting.

In 2022, $2 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development was awarded to the project through a Congressional earmark.

Of that, $1 million is set aside for initial construction, according to Cannon. Fundraising efforts are also ongoing.

Main Street Skowhegan is inviting people to celebrate the approval of the River Park permits by attending River Days on Friday.

Scheduled events include paddling trips down the Kennebec gorge, an information session and tour and a paddling film festival.

Find more information and register for activities at skowheganriverdays.com.