Earlier this month the Legislature approved a $295 million bond package including one-time investments in a broad range of capital projects that will lay the foundation for Maine’s long-term economic prosperity. I was pleased to play a role in crafting the package so that I could help ensure that it met some of Aroostook County’s most pressing needs.
Many of the investments will move us toward a cleaner environment by improving water quality. A major wastewater infrastructure project at the former Loring Air Force Base is slated to receive $5 million. The project is important both environmentally and economically as it will create additional capacity for new tenants at the commerce center. A second wastewater project, to upgrade the infrastructure in Presque Isle, was approved for $250,000 of funding. It will help fix problems with discharge into the Presque Isle Stream and the state funding will help offset costs to local rate payers.
Aroostook County communities will also be able to access over $1 million in Small Community Grants, which help replace malfunctioning residential septic systems that are polluting bodies of water. Further, potato farmers will be able to apply for $1.5 million of funds to develop irrigation ponds. The irrigation funding is necessary to help bring farmers into compliance with federal water flow rules.
County-specific projects in transportation include roughly $350,000 for the Presque Isle Airport, which will help draw down over $4 million in federal funds for essential runway and paving projects. In education, the University of Maine at Presque Isle and Northern Maine Community College will benefit from $38.5 million earmarked for campus infrastructure upgrades at our state’s institutions of higher education.
Aroostook County communities will also be eligible for bond money earmarked for economic development projects. The Maine Rural Development Authority helps rural communities develop industrial sites and encourage businesses. The Agriculture Marketing Loan Fund provides low-cost financing to help farmers and food processors purchase new equipment and build facilities. The bond package includes a total of $2.5 million for these two programs, which draws down federal matching funds.
All of these projects are dependent on the support of you, the voter. In June, voters statewide will have the opportunity to give their support to a portion of these bond measures. Other votes will follow in November and in June of next year. Maine voters have long showed their support of bonds at the polls, because they have recognized they are useful tools in building for the future. I hope you vote to provide funding for these essential projects in Aroostook County.
I can be reached by phone (551-3097), by mail (6C Third St., Presque Isle, Maine 04769), or by e-mail (RepJeremy.Fischer@legislature.maine.gov).
Many of the investments will move us toward a cleaner environment by improving water quality. A major wastewater infrastructure project at the former Loring Air Force Base is slated to receive $5 million. The project is important both environmentally and economically as it will create additional capacity for new tenants at the commerce center. A second wastewater project, to upgrade the infrastructure in Presque Isle, was approved for $250,000 of funding. It will help fix problems with discharge into the Presque Isle Stream and the state funding will help offset costs to local rate payers.
Aroostook County communities will also be able to access over $1 million in Small Community Grants, which help replace malfunctioning residential septic systems that are polluting bodies of water. Further, potato farmers will be able to apply for $1.5 million of funds to develop irrigation ponds. The irrigation funding is necessary to help bring farmers into compliance with federal water flow rules.
County-specific projects in transportation include roughly $350,000 for the Presque Isle Airport, which will help draw down over $4 million in federal funds for essential runway and paving projects. In education, the University of Maine at Presque Isle and Northern Maine Community College will benefit from $38.5 million earmarked for campus infrastructure upgrades at our state’s institutions of higher education.
Aroostook County communities will also be eligible for bond money earmarked for economic development projects. The Maine Rural Development Authority helps rural communities develop industrial sites and encourage businesses. The Agriculture Marketing Loan Fund provides low-cost financing to help farmers and food processors purchase new equipment and build facilities. The bond package includes a total of $2.5 million for these two programs, which draws down federal matching funds.
All of these projects are dependent on the support of you, the voter. In June, voters statewide will have the opportunity to give their support to a portion of these bond measures. Other votes will follow in November and in June of next year. Maine voters have long showed their support of bonds at the polls, because they have recognized they are useful tools in building for the future. I hope you vote to provide funding for these essential projects in Aroostook County.
I can be reached by phone (551-3097), by mail (6C Third St., Presque Isle, Maine 04769), or by e-mail (RepJeremy.Fischer@legislature.maine.gov).
