CARIBOU — Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) has planned a series of informational meetings in Washington and Aroostook counties to provide grant applicants with information about the application process and what projects may be eligible.
The Aroostook County meeting will be held Wednesday, March 30, from 10 a.m.-12 noon at the Northern Maine Development Commission boardroom in Caribou. Christine Frost, NBRC’s program director, will be on hand to describe the new 2016 NBRC program objectives, application schedule, application forms and to answer questions.
The NBRC was created as a federal-state partnership under the 2008 Farm Bill, with the aim of addressing the economic and community development needs of severely distressed areas in the Northern forest region.
The commission provides assistance for projects in seven priority sectors: basic public infrastructure; transportation infrastructure; telecom infrastructure; workforce training and business development; renewable and alternative energy sources; resource conservation, tourism, recreation and preservation of open spaces; and health care and public services in distressed communities.
NBRC has invested $8 million into about 50 projects since 2010. The most recent investment in Aroostook County was last year, where $250,000 was provided to support the relocation and expansion of Acme Monaco in Presque Isle. In the past five years, awards have been made in Eastport, Ashland, Van Buren and to the Indian Township Passamaquoddy Reservation, to name a few.
Since its inception, NMDC has played a critical role in promoting, disseminating information and providing guidance to applicants in both Aroostook and Washington counties.
“We are very proud of our role with NBRC and the positive economic impact NBRC has had, particularly in Aroostook and Washington counties,” said Robert Clark, NMDC executive director.
“The primary focus is to invest in projects that create jobs,” said Alain Ouellette, NMDC planning and development division director. “We encourage all interested municipal and business representatives and economic development officials to attend either of these two meetings. For those who cannot make it in person, a call-in and webinar presentation option will be made available.”
For more information, contact Ouellette at 543-1801 or aouellette@nmdc.org.
