Today, U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME) announced the introduction of the Northern Border Economic Development Commission Act. The legislation allocates financial resources for an economic development commission, made up of appointed representatives from the respective governors of Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont and a presidential appointee, to supervise $40 million in grants over five years to qualified projects that promote economic development approaches across the forest areas of the four states. Senators Snowe and Collins introduced the legislation with Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY), Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Bernard Sanders (I-VT)
“The northern crest of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York is a region of shared resources that has a potential that is not being fulfilled,” Senator Snowe said. “By fostering a regional vision of economic development, we will be able to economize federal resources and expand job opportunities for our population. Our future is intertwined with our neighbors and we must exploit our geography to our economic advantage.”
“We have seen that other regions of the country, with similar economic statistics as the Northeast, do benefit from regional economic development commissions. It is appropriate for the Northern border region to similarly address rising unemployment and invest in our most economically-distressed communities. That is why I am pleased to support this regional effort,” said Senator Collins.
The Northern Border Economic Development Act is the result of a collaborative regional effort to stimulate the forest products industry, rural economies, small business development, and job growth. It is designed to replicate the success of the Appalachian Regional Commission, and serve as a catalyst for regional economic development. The Senators worked closely with the economic development community, state forest associations, state Forest Service directors, conservation groups, and other stakeholders in Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont who wish to encourage economic development while maintaining stability in the natural resource base of the region.
The Regional Commission will include the following counties:
Maine: Aroostook, Franklin, Oxford, Somerset, Washington, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Waldo.
New Hampshire: Coos
New York: Cayuga, Clinton, Franklin, Jefferson, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Essex, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Oneida, and Seneca.
Vermont: Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Orleans, and Caledonia
The Commission may also add additional counties to the region and must consider the following counties:
Maine: Hancock and Knox
New Hampshire: Grafton, Carroll, and Sullivan
New York: Fulton, Madison, Warren, Saratoga, and Washington
Vermont: Lamoille