KENNEBUNKPORT – Patrick Briggs “saw the need and led the charge” to bring affordable housing to Kennebunkport, and for this and other endeavors in the community, he was named Kennebunkport’s Spirit of America Award winner. Briggs and other award winners from across the county were recognized by York County Commissioners at a recent reception.

Briggs served as a selectman in Kennebunkport for nine years and chaired the board for one year.

Once the nonprofit Kennebunkport Heritage Housing Trust was formed, he stepped up as president, said the Kennebunkport Selectmen’s Board, which nominated Briggs. Briggs and the other members of the housing trust worked with town staff, local businesses, contractors, and the full board of selectmen to bring the project to fruition.

After applying and receiving grant money, in addition to organizing several fundraisers, site development was underway. The first subdivision, comprised of six homes, was named Heritage Woods – and one of the streets in it is called Briggs Way, in his honor. After meeting the first goal of six affordable homes, the trust is looking forward to potential new sites for expansion of the project.

Briggs served as a U.S. Air Force B-52 pilot, followed by a five-year stint at the Pentagon. He later established and operated a Washington, D.C., office for an aerospace company before retiring to Kennebunkport. Locally, he has served on the board of River Tree Arts and co-founded and served as a director for the Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Association of Southern Maine for the Diocese of Portland.

The Spirit of America program recognizes volunteerism and was founded in Maine in 1990.

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