$290K in fed grants to support, create 160 jobs
Five Maine organizations have been awarded a total of $290,000 in grant funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Rural Business Development Grant program to assist in economic development, and the creation and support of an anticipated 160 jobs and economic development across the state.
“These grants will assist 142 rural Maine businesses and farms statewide in implementing important business development planning and training activities that are anticipated to support or create a total of 160 jobs,” USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel said in a statement. “The impact of this funding is far-reaching and helps create opportunities for future economic growth in Maine’s rural communities.”
The five Maine organizations selected to receive federal grant funding are:
- Maine Farmland Trust Inc., in Belfast: Awarded $54,000 that will be used to provide a technical assistance program on the business of farming for wholesale, which will help Maine farms scale up to serve wholesale markets. The project has the potential to create five jobs and save 25 more. The project is also projected to assist 26 businesses.
- City of Eastport: Awarded $27,000 that will be used to complete a feasibility study for a high-tech incubator and training facility located in Eastport, which will also service the communities of Pleasant Point, Perry, Pembroke, Robbinston, Whiting and Lubec. The project has the potential to create 45 jobs and assist 16 businesses.
- Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets, in Pittsfield: Awarded $66,510 that will be used to evaluate the economic impact and growth capacity of Maine’s rural farmers’ markets, with particular emphasis on those in Calais, Belfast, Bucksport, Norway and Presque Isle. The project has the potential to create 13 jobs and save 55 others. It is also projected to assist 88 small farms and businesses.
- Somerset Economic Development Corp., in Skowhegan: Awarded $59,500 that will be used to acquire equipment for lease to Maine Grains for its “Efficient Grain Handling Project,” including a grain unloading and transport system and a 15-ton grain storage bin. The project has the potential to create 11 jobs and assist eight businesses.
- Town of New Canada: Awarded $82,990 that will be used to acquire land and construct a garage and workshop for lease to Allagash View Farm for use in its Christmas tree, wreath and proposed haskap berry operations. The project has the potential to create two jobs and save four others. The project also will assist four businesses.
Read more
Federal funding available to agricultural and rural businesses for energy upgrades
Cooper Farms the recipient of a $1.15M loan
Federal energy grant gives $108K boost to Maine farms, businesses
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments