"These funds demonstrate the federal government's continued commitment to improving and supporting rural communities throughout Maine and across the country," Snowe and Collins said in a joint statement. The funds have been allocated as follows:
• $300,000 grant to Four Directions Development Corporation to re-capitalize the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund. • $84,986 grant to Piscataquis County Economic Development Council to provide technical assistance to an industrial park, increase recipients access to alternative funding sources and to help provide further training and resources on operations and management. • $5,000,000 guaranteed loan and a $13,700,000 direct loan to Calais Regional Hospital to construct a new, single story 25-bed hospital in Calais. • $250,000 approved loan and a $50,000 grant to Fairbanks School Neighborhood Association, Inc. to construct a community facility. • $300,000 approved loan to Family Focus child care center in Bath. • $300,000 grant to Western Maine Community Action, Inc. for a statewide "Keeping Seniors Home" program. • $102,600 grant to Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments to build community capacity to improve infrastructure management and plan for economic development. • $100,000 grant to Maine Development Foundation to be used for the Maine Development Capacity Building Program. • $50,000 grant for the Northern Maine Development Commission to develop a feasibility report for the creation of a series of resort facilities to accommodate the growing snowmobile, cross-country, and All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Tourism Market.
The USDA Rural Development mission provides guaranteed loans, approved loans, and approved grants. Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. The loans and grants are used for community programs, which seek to construct or improve community facilities for health care, public safety, and public services.