Senator Collins, King Announce USDA Grants for Six Maine Communities and Organizations

      WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins and Angus King announced more than $2 million in funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will provide support for distance learning and telemedicine programs throughout the state.

      "It is important that we recognize the hard work and dedication of community leaders and health care professionals throughout our state and continue to support projects in Maine's rural areas,” said Senator Collins and King in a statement. “This important investment in distance learning and telemedicine programs will improve educational opportunities and access to vital health care services in Maine’s rural communities.”

      The USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine program helps rural communities develop and maintain telecommunication networks in order connect to each other and to the world. Funding through this program supports the acquisition of audio-video equipment, network components and software, as well as technical assistance and instruction for using eligible equipment.?

Listed below are the recipients from Maine:

·         Home Health Visiting Nurses of Southern Maine: $129,400

·         Kno-Wal-Lin Home Health Care Management, Inc.: $130,000

·         Regional School Unit 64: $498,535

·         Maine Rural Health Collaborative, LLC: $431,599

·         Region Two School of Applied Technology (Maine Adult Education and Cooperative Extension Distance Learning Consortium): $499,378

·         Easton School District: $499,773