Senators Collins, King Announce $210,000 for Economic Planning in Androscoggin, Somerset, and Aroostook Counties

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) will award $210,000 to Androscoggin, Somerset, Aroostook, and Washington Counties to foster economic development, support small businesses, and create jobs.

“Federal investments can play a pivotal role in the development of strategies to create employment opportunities, strengthen economies, and assist communities across Maine, particularly in rural areas,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.  “We commend the EDA for providing this important funding, which will bolster these Maine counties’ efforts to support small businesses and foster job creation.”

The funding will be awarded as follows:

• Androscoggin County will receive $70,000 through the EDA’s District Planning program to establish an economic development planning framework to support private capital investment and local job creation.

• Aroostook and Washington Counties will receive $70,000 through the EDA’s District Planning program to establish an economic development planning framework to support private capital investment and local job creation.

• Somerset County will receive $70,000 through the EDA’s District Planning program and $61,000 through the Design Analysis program for the investigation and analysis of potential design alternatives and ownership options for conversion of the former Madison Paper mill.