SNOWE, COLLINS ANNOUNCE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR MAINE

WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins today announced $593,140 in grants to Maine from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development office. The funding will assist in the financing and development of small and emerging businesses.

"These funds will help improve economic opportunities for Maine's rural communities and foster employment opportunities for Mainers," Snowe and Collins said in a joint statement.

The federal funds were allocated as follows:

• $397,640 to the Maine Public Broadcasting Corporation for assistance with informational programming on rural related issues.

• $99,500 to the Town of Lubec for a revolving loan fund that will allow 10 jobs to be created or saved.

• $50,000 to the City of Brewer for economic planning for the city's waterfront redevelopment project.

• $46,000 to the Maine Highlands Corporation for assisting small businesses involved in the tourism industry in the Maine Highlands region.

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