BANGOR — USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel announced last week five grants to support economic and community development projects in northern, eastern, and western Maine, including one in the local area.
“This investment in five Maine organizations will assist in supporting rural businesses and maintaining and creating jobs through multiple projects including microbusiness training, construction at a historic heritage site, and equipment acquisition which will benefit Maine’s winter economy,” Manual said.
Among those groups receiving a grant was Linneus Sno Sports, Inc., of Linneus. The group was selected to receive a $50,000 Rural Business Enterprise Grant to assist in the acquisition of snowmobile trail-grooming equipment to maintain its nearly 200 miles of trail. Trail maintenance is critical to attracting riders and traffic during winter months, and the patronage of these visitors helps local businesses remain viable.
USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration – the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act. USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.
Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development’s website at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/me.
