DOWNEAST HERITAGE CENTER RECEIVES $1 MILLION GRANT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Susan Collins today announced the awarding of a $1 million Commerce Department Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the city of Calais and the St. Croix Economic Alliance of Calais to help build the Downeast Heritage Center.

"I'm confident that the Downeast Heritage Center in Calais, which I have been supporting over the past 6 years, will prove to be a catalyst for economic development," said Senator Collins. "We have a project here where economic and cultural interests intersect." Senator Collins has personally secured $2.75 million dollars in federal appropriations for the Downeast Heritage Center thus far, and has included an additional $400,000 for the project in the FY 2003 Transportation Appropriations bill currently pending before the Senate.

A market feasibility study projected that 90,000 people will visit the center each year and contribute some $3.6 million annually to Washington County Businesses.