Sens. Collins, King announce grant for Katahdin Area Trails

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine and Angus King, I-Maine announced a total of $3,242,078 for rural economic and community development throughout Maine. This funding is being awarded through the Northern Border Regional Commission’s State Economic and Infrastructure Grants for fiscal year 2019.

Among the 10 funding recipients is Katahdin Area Trails which will receive $250,000 to build nine miles of bike trail on Hammond Ridge. This includes a bike-only gravity trail, the first of its kind in Maine.

“The Northern Border Regional Commission is a critical source of investment for rural parts of our state, helping to grow the economy and create jobs,” said Sens. Collins and King in a joint statement. “We welcome this continued funding for these projects that will help enhance economic growth, promote community development and improve transportation infrastructure throughout Maine.”

The senators introduced the Northern Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act in March 2018 to bolster the Northern Border Regional Commission. The commission funds grants for infrastructure projects throughout northern and central Maine, as well as northern New York, New Hampshire and Vermont, spurring rural economic and community development. The reauthorization was included in the 2018 Farm Bill.

The Northern Border Regional Commission is a federal-state partnership for economic and community development in Northern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York. Each year, it provides federal funds for critical economic and community development projects throughout the northeast. These investments lead to new jobs being created and leverages substantial private sector investments. The mission of the Northern Border Regional Commission is to catalyze regional, collaborative and transformative community economic development approaches that alleviate economic distress and position the region for economic growth.