The present disclosure is directed to a low VOC (volatile organic content) waterborne coating composition comprising low molecular weight polytrimethylene ether glycol. This disclosure is further directed to an antimicrobial coating layer formed from the coating composition comprising low molecular weight polytrimethylene ether glycol. The coating compositions can be used as interior and exterior top coats, basecoats, primers, primer surfacers and primer fillers. The low molecular weight polytrimethylene ether glycol can also be functioning as a coalescing agent. The disclosure is particularly directed to a coating composition comprising components derived from renewable resources.