SNOWE, COLLINS ANNOUNCE TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR SAUNDERS BROTHERS IN WESTBROOK

WASHINGTON, DC – Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME) today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce has granted Saunders Brothers, Inc., in Westbrook, $100,000 in cost shared technical assistance through the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program for manufacturing firms.  Saunders Brothers, Inc. is a manufacturer of wood products, primarily dowels, rods, and pins.  The company employs 161 people.   “Since the company was founded at the turn of the 20th century, Saunders Brothers has developed a reputation as one of our nation’s leading wood products manufacturers,” said Senators Snowe and Collins in a joint statement.  “This TAA assistance will help Saunders Brothers compete more effectively with imports and help level the playing field for a small Maine-based business and its dedicated employees.”               The assistance provided through the TAA program will be used to help provide Saunders Brothers with financial consulting, marketing development, and information systems planning.               Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms is a successful and cost-effective program that aids our nation’s small businesses.  Since 1999, the program has helped to retain or create over 48,039 jobs in communities, and increased sales at participating companies by more than $900 million.  TAA for Firms averts the need for millions of dollars in unemployment compensation, welfare assistance, and other dislocated worker program costs by saving companies and jobs imperiled by import competition.