Announcement Includes Grants to Northern Maine Indian Tribes
At the White House Rural Forum convened today at Pennsylvania State University, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $32 million in loans and grants that will promote economic development and provide access to broadband in more than 80 rural American communities. Vilsack, who is chair of the first-ever White House Rural Council, convened the forum with rural policy, business and nonprofit leaders to discuss pertinent issues facing rural communities, including opportunities for economic growth and strategies for improving health care and housing.
“This funding will provide much-needed capital and bring cutting-edge technology to rural communities across the country,” Vilsack said. “Investments in our rural businesses and communities, coupled with extending high-speed broadband, have led to a resurgence of economic development, created jobs and improved the quality of life in rural America. While we have made great progress, our work to extend capital and technology to rural America is not done.”
USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel said, “I am pleased these USDA Rural Development Grants will provide the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and the Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians with funds for relending and strategic planning that will help tribal members capitalize on opportunities for business growth and identify ways to best utilize tribal land.”
In Maine, a total of $222,453 is being invested in Northern Maine tribes:
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Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians has been selected to receive a Rural Business Development Grant in the amount of $99,500 to establish a revolving loan fund to aid in create business opportunities for the tribe.
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Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians has been selected to receive a Rural Business Development Grant in the amount of $122,953 to develop a strategic economic and community development plan to consider the highest and best use of the Tribe's 3,000 acres of land and other Tribal assets. In addition, feasibility analyses and business plans for two potential Tribal enterprises, specialty foods and alternative energy production, will be funded.It is projected that ten jobs will be retained and up to 20 more could be created.
Significant gains have been made across rural America: Rural household income climbed 3.4 percent in 2015, overall poverty and food insecurity fell dramatically, rural populations have begun to rebound, non-metro areas have added more than 250,000 jobs since 2014, and the share of rural Americans without health insurance is now at an all-time low.
The White House Rural Council, established by President Obama in 2011, coordinates the Administration’s efforts in rural America by streamlining and improving the effectiveness of federal programs, engaging stakeholders on priority issues, and coordinating private-sector partnerships to create economic opportunity and improve the quality of life.
Since 2009, USDA Rural Development (@USDARD) has invested nearly $13 billion to start or expand nearly 112,000 rural businesses; helped bring high-speed Internet access to nearly 6 million rural residents and businesses; helped 1.1 million rural residents buy homes; and funded nearly 9,200 community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care facilities. USDA also has invested $31.3 billion in 963 electric projects that have financed more than 185,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines serving 4.6 million rural residents. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/results.