SNOWE, COLLINS ANNOUNCE OVER $2 MILLION IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS FOR MAINE

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME) announced $2,445,700 in rural development funds through grants and loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). "This funding will enable these counties to make necessary improvements to their water lines, which will benefit these communities as they grow," Snowe and Collins said in a joint statement.

The federal funding for water and waste disposal was allocated as follows:

• $510,200 in grants and $579,500 in loans to Kennebec County to construct combined water and sewer lines and main improvements serving a population of 1,305.

• $425,000 in grants and $525,000 in loans to Oxford County to replace water mains and hydrants, and make improvements to the water system serving a population of 1,723.

• $182,700 in grants and $223,300 in loans to Androscoggin County to replace a 100 year old clay sewer main serving a population of 3,227.

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