AROOSTOOK COUNTY – The Maine Office of Community Development has made available a $500,000 grant to help replace underground storage tanks in Aroostook County.
MOCD officials included the funding in the 2018 Community Development Block Grant program statement. The funds will help The County administer a statewide economic development initiative to fund the tank replacements.
Qualifying small businesses may receive Individual grants of up to a maximum of $50,000 to assist with the purchase of new tanks, removal of existing tanks and installation of new ones by a Certified Underground Oil Storage Tank Installer (CTI). Tanks must meet the design and installation requirements of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
“We are very pleased to assist the state as the fiscal agent and grant administrator of these CDBG funds and look forward to the process that will be developed for businesses such as gas stations and small ‘mom and pop’ type convenience stores who are required to replace aging underground storage tanks when they become aged,” said County Administrator Ryan D. Pelletier.
According to the CDBG program statement, all entities applying for UST funds must certify that they will provide a cash match of at least 20 percent of the total grant award. This match may consist of all non-CDBG loans, grants, etc., contributed to the project.
Applicants for the funding who are on DEP’s list of critical projects and have received notification that their UST must be removed will be given priority during the evaluation and selection process for awarding UST program funds.
County officials anticipate that funding will be available sometime during the summer of 2018, with letters of intent due by May 4, 2018. A public hearing on the proposed CDBG program statement has been scheduled for Nov. 10, 2017, at the Burton Cross Office Building, third floor, 111 Sewall Street in Augusta.
All units of general local government in Maine, including plantations, except for the entitlement communities of Auburn, Bangor, Biddeford, Lewiston, Portland and all of Cumberland County with the exception of Brunswick and Frye Island are eligible to apply for and receive State CDBG program funds.
For more information, visit: http://www.maine.gov/decd/meocd/cdbg/statement.shtml.
