The Aroostook Band of Micmacs and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians are receiving federal grants of more than $200,000, with the aim of growing businesses.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded $122,953 to the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, and $99,500 to the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians under the agency’s rural business development grant program, according to the office of U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King.
The USDA grant program is aimed at helping businesses run by tribes and their members, such as Micmac Farms, a six-year-old diversified fruit and vegetable farm on U.S. Route 1 in Caribou.
The Aroostook Band of Micmacs said they will use the grant for creating community and business plans for 3,000 acres of tribal-owned land, including former Loring Air Force Base property with 600 acres of mixed forest and 1,200 acres in Winterville Plantation along St. Froid Lake and the Fish River.
The Micmacs also plan to use the grant funding for feasibility studies and planning for tribal businesses in speciality foods and renewable energy. The tribe’s farm has 18 acres, a greenhouse and store selling fresh produce, preserves and crafts. The farm is also home to a trout hatchery built in 2013 that the tribe is considering expanding the aquaculture system to raise fish for sale to the public and local restaurants.
The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, which also has a farm and an array of lands, plan to use the grant to create a revolving loan fund for small and start-up businesses.
