WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins announced on Aug. 17 that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded a combined $336,999 in grant funding to several regional organizations dedicated to economic development planning across the state, including the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and the Northern Maine Development Commission. The EDA grants will help these organizations establish an economic development framework, process and strategy that support private capital investment and job creation in their respective regions.
“Maine’s economic development depends on sound planning. These organizations will benefit significantly from these EDA grants as they work to attract new businesses to grow our economy and support new development,” said Sens. Snowe and Collins.
Funding distributed includes $42,900 to the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and $70,000 to NMDC, which serves Aroostook and parts of Washington, Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.
According to Chief Brenda Commander, the $42,900 in funding was awarded to the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians in the form of a planning grant designated for the development of a Maliseet economic development plan for the tribe. The plan is estimated to take about a year to complete and will assess potential areas of economic growth for the tribal community.
The $70,000 awarded to NMDC will be used in strategic economic planning in northern Maine, primarily the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) which is completed annually. The completion of the CEDS by NMDC is critical as it includes information about communities and other organizations, which is a requirement that enables for those entities to obtain their own specific funding through the EDA.
