Student Intern
In a recent press release, Sens. Olympia Snow and Susan Collins announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program has awarded funding to local communities.
The Limestone Water and Sewer District was awarded a loan of $1,238,000 and a grant of $3,712,000, which will be used to combine the Limestone Water and Sewer District with the Loring Development Authority wastewater facilities. The combination of the two facilities will enable the town of Limestone to save capital, while making much needed upgrades to the aging water systems.
In a joint statement the senators said, “this Water and Waste Disposal loan and grant will allow the Limestone Water and Sewer District to make the needed improvements and renovations in order to better serve the community of Limestone.”
The Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) was awarded $165,000 to use in projects focused on assisting local businesses. Mike Eisensmith, NMDC’s, director of economic development, said that the funds will be used to find out what local businesses are doing, who they do business with, and what they need to run smoothly. The findings will allow NMDC to make connections between businesses within the community and other regions, as well as see what could be developed in the area to provide further resources for small businesses.
The funds will also help with a supply chain accessibility program, which will aid smaller businesses in making larger connections. These connections will enable area businesses to expand and increase their overall profit and success.
Eisensmith says “we plan to start working on it within a month.”
He said it will involve a lot of community outreach and partnership with several existing outreaches within the state.
Sens. Snowe and Collins stated, “Maine’s rural businesses and community development centers are benefiting from the USDA’s Rural Development Programs. These much-needed funds will help enhance economic opportunities for the entire state and help improve key community cornerstones.”
The USDA Rural Development program provides financial assistance, through loans and grants, to help improve the quality of life in rural America. The money is given to community programs whose goal is to improve community facilities.
