Senators Collins, King Introduce Bill to Bolster the Northern Border Regional Commission

Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) introduced the Northern Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act with Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Pat Leahy (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH).  The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) funds grants for projects throughout northern and central Maine, as well as northern New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont, spurring economic and community development.

“The Northern Border Regional Commission is a critical source of investment for northern and central Maine, helping to grow the economy and create jobs,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.  “We encourage our colleagues to support our bipartisan legislation, which would continue the NBRC’s work to strengthen communities through projects that support business retention and expansion, infrastructure development, and increased access to high-speed telecommunications.” 

This bipartisan legislation would extend authorization of the NBRC for five years and make additional reforms to encourage business retention and expansion in northern Maine and distressed rural communities.  The reauthorization will allow the NBRC to attract businesses from outside the United States as well as devote additional resources to encourage renewable energy development in the region.

Additionally, the Northern Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act will improve the region’s capacity for high-impact community economic development projects.  The reauthorization bill will establish a state capacity building grant program that will help develop projects that support business retention and expansion, access to high-speed broadband, critical infrastructure development, and job creation throughout the region.