Golden Delivers $1 Million for Loring Development Authority Wastewater Treatment

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he has secured $1 million in dedicated funding as part of the 2023 appropriations government funding package for the Loring Development Authority Wastewater Treatment. The funding, which passed the Senate yesterday and is expected to head to the president’s desk for his signature this week, will be used to rehabilitate wastewater collect system components on the Loring Commerce Centre to help alleviate problems with the Limestone Water and Sewer District’s ability to sufficiently treat wastewater at their treatment facility and address associated operation costs.

“The sewer system at Loring safely treatedwastewater coming from the Commerce Centre for almost a century, but it is in need of some critical repairs,” said Congressman Golden. “I’m proud to have secured funding to make these much-needed improvements to the wastewater treatment system. This funding will help protect jobs at Loring by ensuring the Mainers who work there can count on safe, reliable water and the surrounding environment is protected from damage.”

“A Flow Study of the sewer collection system at Loring Commerce Centre has guided a multiphase plan to update the 70-year old system,” said Carl Flora, President and CEO of the Loring Development Authority (LDA) in Limestone. “To date four phases have been completed. Congressional funding will allow the completion of an additional six phases, addressing areas of greatest impact. The project is critical to the environment and to new economic activity at Loring. LDA appreciates Congressman Golden’s support in bringing the project closer to achieving its overall purpose in protecting the environment, and promoting jobs at Loring. One such project is a new biorefinery project to be located at Loring. An investment in sewer infrastructure will facilitate new jobs and additional investments in this new multi-billion dollar project.”

The Loring Commerce Centre, where the rehabilitation project will take place, is an industrial and aviation park in northern Maine currently housing over 20 companies employing upwards of 1,300 people. It is an important economic and industrial hub for northern Maine, responsible for creating over 1,400 jobs in the area. It was built on the site of the former Loring Air Force Base and continues to operate Loring International Airport. 

The request on behalf of the Loring Development Authority was one of the congressman’sCommunity Project Funding requests. Congressman Golden was the only member of the delegation whose request for funding was included in the year-end omnibus spending bill.

The wastewater collection systems for the Loring Commercial Centre have seen significant problems due to aging infrastructure and high flows, resulting in difficulties with wastewater treatment and potential damage to local ecosystems. Congressman Golden’s funding will cover the cost of updating the aging infrastructure to help protect the local environment and ensure that the Loring Commerce Centre remains attractive to future business activities.

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