WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and Congressmen Tom Allen (D-ME) and Mike Michaud (D-ME) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program has awarded $4,551,000 in grants and loans to entities throughout the state of Maine.
"The USDA Rural Development program provides vital opportunities for rural Mainers to enhance community services and boost economic growth," Senators Snowe and Collins and Congressmen Allen and Michaud said in a joint statement. "This funding will make possible a variety of rural community projects and essential equipment acquisitions."
The funding is distributed as follows:
* $3,000,000 loan to the Town of Orono for a cost overrun to implement the town's final phases of its Combined Sewer Overflow abatement program and to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant and a major pumping station
* $1,155,000 guaranteed loan to the Outpost Holding Company, LLC in Hulls Cove to assist with the purchase of real estate at 21 Main Street, Bangor. The Outpost Holding Company, LLC was organized to own and operate rental properties.
* $396,000 grant to the Maine Public Broadcasting Corporation in Bangor to produce television programs and information resources to help rural communities share local economic revitalization practices
The USDA Rural Development program provides financial loans and grants to help improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. The funds are used for community programs, which seek to construct or improve community facilities for health care, public safety, and public services.
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For more information, contact:
Antonia Ferrier (Snowe) 202/224-1304
Jen Burita (Collins) 202/224-2523
Mark Sullivan (Allen) 207/774-5019
Monica Castellanos (Michaud) 207/782-3704