Staff Writer
The county’s primary economic development agency has received nearly $700,000 in federal grants help make small businesses more energy efficient. By saving energy, officials expect that new jobs would be created and more than 200 existing jobs be saved, according to an announcement by U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud last week.
The grants, for the Northern Maine Development Commission, will be used to identify small manufacturing firms that are high-energy users and help them make changes to conserve energy. The funds are from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business Enterprise Grant program.
“We’ll work (with the high energy users) and complete energy audits and help finance the changes that the audit dictates should be made,” said NMDC Executive Director Robert Clark.
A $500,000 grant will be used to establish a small business revolving loan fund to help support new and existing small businesses in Aroostook County. The funds can be used in conjunction with other NMDC programs to help implement the energy-saving recommendations, Clark explained.
The remaining funds are for a two-year technical assistance program to help small business find reliable information on energy use, available efficiency tools and measures to reduce energy-related costs, according to Michaud’s announcement.
The grants are the result of the presidential disaster declaration issued after the flooding, according to Clark. Seven counties in Maine were eligible for the funding, he explained.
The energy audits will be in-depth inspections of the firms’ use of energy. The audits will cost between $5,000 to $10,000 each, according to Clark.
NMDC officials plan to reach out to identify the small businesses that could be helped by the program.
According to USDA, at least 17 jobs could be created by the loan fund’s utilization, with 35 jobs saved and 10 businesses helped. With the remaining funds, at least 20 jobs could be being created and 192 saved position. A total of 16 businesses would be assisted.
“I’m pleased that this funding has been released,” said Michaud in his announcement. “These grants will provide important economic support to small businesses in Maine.
“The technical, logistical and financial assistance this funding provides will be especially helpful for small businesses that need to find cost-effective solution to offset the cost of high energy prices,” said Michaud.
The Rural Business Enterprise Grants program provides funding for rural projects that finance and facilitate development of small and emerging rural businesses. They also fund distance learning networks and employment-related adult education programs, according to the Michaud announcement.
