Golden announces more than $6 million in grants for Second District
WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced that the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) has awarded 11 grants totaling more than $6 million to towns and organizations across the Second Congressional District. The projects — which include improvements to infrastructure, child care, education and more — will benefit communities throughout Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Oxford, Penobscot, and Washington counties.
“Strong infrastructure and economic opportunities make for strong communities. These grants will create good-paying jobs and support the health and safety of Maine families,” Golden said.“With resources made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the NBRC continues to empower the growth of Maine’s economy.”
The following grants were announced:
- $500,000 to the Town of Fort Kent to expand and relocate the Town’s outdoor skating rink and support recreation opportunities in the County;
- $484,000 to the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center to promote workforce development in the aquaculture industry in Washington county;
- $250,000 to the Town of Grand Isle to upgrade water treatment facilities;
- $500,000 to the Aroostook Micmac Council to expand its aquaculture hatchery and improve economic and food resiliency within the community;
- $33,000 to the Beth C. Wright Cancer Center to promote community health care approaches and increase educational opportunities for both patients and care providers in Washington county;
- $756,000 to the Maine Audubon Society to renovate and expand the Fields Pond Audubon Center in Holden;
- $1,000,000 to the Town of Bethel for wastewater treatment system upgrades;
- $1,000,000 to the City of Ellsworth to construct a new water treatment plant adjacent to branch Lake;
- $1,000,000 to the Beth Brunswick Memorial Fund to build a licensed child care center in Rangely with a capacity of up to 74 children;
- $500,000 to the Downeast Institute to upgrade seasonal cottages into year-round housing for science personnel and new employees in Washington county;
- $44,000 to the Washburn Trailrunners Snowmobile Club to add a fire-resistant wall to the organization’s club house.
These grants are part of the NBRC’s Catalyst Program, which is funded by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Commission’s federal appropriation.
Representatives from Congressman Golden’s office will join Governor Janet Mills and NBRC Federal Co-Chair Chris Saunders at an unveiling ceremony in Rangely on July 2 to celebrate the awards.
The NBRC is a federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2008 to help alleviate economic distress and encourage private sector job creation throughout the northern counties of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.
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