U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King have announced that ten organizations in Maine will receive more than $6.5 million to support economic development projects across the state. The funding, totaling $6,541,337, comes from the Northern Border Regional Commission’s (NBRC) Fiscal Year 2025 Catalyst Program and is made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Senator Collins was one of ten senators involved in negotiating the IIJA.
In a joint statement, Senators Collins and King said: “The NBRC has long helped provide rural regions with the economic tools they need to prosper. This funding will help improve critical infrastructure in communities across our state while strengthening our workforce and creating economic opportunities for Mainers.”
The funds are distributed among several organizations:
– Bangor YMCA: $1,000,000
– Caribou Utilities District: $1,000,000
– Monmouth Water Association: $1,000,000
– Outdoor Sports Institute: $1,000,000
– Town of Jonesport: $799,615
– Friends of Veterans Memorial Library: $606,691
– Maine Development Foundation: $500,000
– Center for Entrepreneurial Studies: $499,869
– Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems: $100,000
– Hancock County Planning Commission: $35,162
The NBRC was created by Congress in 2008 with support from both Senators Collins and King. Its purpose is to fund a variety of development projects aimed at reducing economic hardship and promoting private sector job growth in Maine as well as New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. In 2023, Senator Collins introduced legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the NBRC; Senator King co-sponsored this effort.
A detailed description of all funded projects can be read here.