U.S. Senators Susan Collis and Olympia J. Snowe today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded a $1.1 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the Houlton Water Company in Houlton. The grant was announced early today by Secretary Carolos Gutierrez.
The investment will help build a new electrical sub-station and secondary distribution system to support the expansion of Louisiana Pacific Corporation. The investment is expected to create 39 jobs and generate $104 million in private investment.
“This is fantastic news,” noted Senators Collins and Snowe in a joint statement. “This funding will help a major employer retain current employees and will help create new jobs in an area of our state which has had difficulty in creating and retaining manufacturing jobs. We are pleased that we were able to help bring this funding to Aroostook County.”
“America’s competitiveness and innovation flourish in vibrant, economically growing communities that are creating jobs and opportunities,” said Gutierrez. Successful economic development is driven at the local level – by leaders like Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. It takes both smart national policies and smart local initiatives to ensure that the American dream reaches all parts of our great nation. This investment will help Houlton generate a commercial environment that will attract entrepreneurs, businesses and capital.”
EDA serves as a venture capital resource to meet the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States. EDA’s mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.
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