Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 9 A U G U S T 2 3 , 2 0 2 1 12 Maine towns and organizations awarded $5M for economic development B y C a t i e J o y c e - B u l a y C entral and northern Maine towns and nonprofits will receive a total of nearly $5 million for infrastructure upgrades and economic development through this year's Northern Border Regional Commission grant program. The NBRC's State Economic and Infrastructure Devel- opment Investment Program awarded $4,855,281 in grants to 12 Maine organizations and similar amounts to organizations in New Hampshire, Vermont and New York. The Maine funding will go to the following: Axiom Education & Training Center in Machias will receive $150,000 to support digital literacy skills learning for approximately 10,000 adult learners throughout Maine. Limestone's Loring Development Authority will receive $500,000 to replace 20,000 feet of aging sewer pipes and manholes, resolving overflows of untreated wastewater. Frenchville will upgrade and replace parts of its existing water pump station with the $758,000 it receives. Eastern Maine Development Corp. will receive $350,000 to provide technical assistance for climate resiliency planning, growth strategies for second stage businesses and access to capital. Hermon will receive $50,000 to modernize its pump station and increase wastewater capacity for both existing and new industrial properties. Pittsfield will use its $245,000 to reconstruct 4,100 feet of its sidewalk, replace an electrical control and add broadband fiber to improve its downtown. The Greater Augusta Utility District will get $1 million to replace a utility crossing of the Kennebec River, provide water system looping resiliency with additional piping, and increase the fiber optic sys- tem reliability with new fiber cable. Vinalhaven will construct and improve infrastructure along its Main Street with its $1 million in funding. Guilford will receive $280,000 to enhance existing green space and improve sidewalks, walking paths, and signage to develop a walkable downtown. The funding will also be used to create a downtown Wi-Fi network for residents. Millinocket will cre- ate a new terminal for the town's munic- ipal airport with a $203,439 award. Danforth will receive $229,000 to help increase the down- town's economic development capac- ity, expand entrepreneurial opportunities and sup- port ecological restoration. The Western Foothills Land Trust will receive $89,842 to improve bike and Nordic ski trails, warming huts and equipment at Roberts Farm Preserve in Norway. The Northern Border Regional Commission, founded in 2008 and based in Concord, N.H., handles economic and community development in 12 Maine counties, as well as New Hampshire, Vermont and New York. B I Z M O N E Y

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