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Northern Border Regional Commission – U.S. Economic Development Administration Joint Awards Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 14, 2020 
Contact:  Rich Grogan rgrogan@nbrc.gov 
(802) 461-8089

Today, the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) announces the funding of 5 projects under a Memorandum of Agreement signed between the NBRC and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to amplify both agencies’ economic development impact in Northern Border communities. The NBRC has received a special appropriation since 2018 for these awards, which has resulted in working closely with the EDA to award funds to projects that meet the strategic objectives of both agencies.  

The total of the awards made in 2020 is $2,838,810.00, and a brief summary of each of the awarded projects is below: 

Town of Searsport (Waldo County, ME) - $911,190: This project will upgrade a wastewater treatment facility to improve primary treatment and provide new secondary and tertiary treatment. These improvements will increase the quality of water discharged into nearby Penobscot Bay, ultimately decreasing the risk of negative impacts to the shell fishing and recreation industries that rely on the Bay.
Sanbornville Precinct (Carroll County, NH) - $1,000,000: This project will replace 2.44 miles of watermain with 8” main to reduce re-occurring breaks. Additionally, the funds will support improvements to the pump station. The impact will be to reduce the number of temporary business closures due to a lack of water.
Village of Heuvelton (St. Lawrence County, NY) - $376,190: This project will decommission Heuvelton’s existing Wastewater Treatment Plant, and construct 8.6 miles of sewer main to Ogdensburg’s plant. Reducing treatment cost will allow for business and job retention, while creating an economic development corridor to catalyze commercial development.
Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (Addison, Rutland & Windsor Counties, VT) - $526,375: This project supports construction of key sections (10 mi) of the Velomont Trail in the Towns of Chittenden, Rochester, and Hancock, as well as a new year-round ADA accessible backcountry hut in Chittenden. The Velomont Trail and Hut Network will be a statewide, multi-use, non-motorized trail for mountain biking, hiking, and skiing.
Town of Highgate (Franklin County, VT) - $25,055: This project will support the creation of a 6,300’ extension of water and sewer infrastructure along US Route 78, to Airport Road, and continuing to the Franklin County Airport area within Highgate’s Commercial/Industrial Zoning District. The project will support new business development.
 
“It is exciting to see the partnership between NBRC and EDA continue to grow – through this MOA and in other areas of our work,” said NBRC Federal Co-Chair Harold B. Parker. He added: “The funds that support this partnership allow the NBRC to make critical investments in the region’s Distressed and Transitional Counties, and we look forward to continuing future collaboration.”  

“EDA is pleased to work with the NBRC to support local strategies designed to boost the competitiveness of the Northern Border region,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “We wish these communities the best as they work to diversify and grow the regional economy.”  

The funds for this program, and all NBRC programs, are available thanks to the support of the Congressional Delegations of all four NBRC states: Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. 

Depending on the availability of funds in 2021, the NBRC anticipates another round of joint NBRC-EDA project awards next year. Please refer to NBRC’s website, www.nbrc.gov, for announcements about future Funding Opportunities.  

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About the Northern Border Regional Commission (www.nbrc.gov)  
Created in 2008, the Northern Border Regional Commission is a federal-state partnership whose mission is to help alleviate economic distress and encourage private sector job creation in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. In its twelve-year history, the Commission has awarded 287 grants amounting to more than $72 Million across the four states through its primary Economic & Infrastructure Development (EID) grant program and other special initiatives.  

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.