Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to the Fort Fairfield Utilities District of Fort Fairfield, Maine to support the local business community by replacing the town’s existing 60-year-old wastewater treatment facility. The EDA grant will be matched with $4.4 million in state funds and $2.3 million in local investment.
“President Trump is working diligently every day to improve our country’s infrastructure to facilitate job creation and success,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “This new water treatment plant will support existing businesses and help attract new ventures to Fort Fairfield.”
“This project is essential to continuing efficient operations at Fort Fairfield’s 425-employee potato processing plant and other businesses,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Dr. John Fleming. “Additionally, increased wastewater capacity will provide new opportunities for private investment from agricultural and other processing companies in the area.”
“The economic and environmental health of communities depends on regularly updated and maintained wastewater systems,” said Senators Susan Collins and Angus King. “This important infrastructure investment in Fort Fairfield’s wastewater treatment plant will help to maintain these vital operations for homes and businesses while providing new opportunities for jobs and economic development.”
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.