Northern Maine Development Commission to use US$200,000 grant from US Dept. of Commerce to advance design and production of biomass heating appliances, attract European biomass heating appliances manufacturer to northern Maine

Allison Oesterle

AUGUSTA, Maine , September 26, 2013 (press release) – Governor Paul R. LePage announced today that the U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded the Northern Maine Development Commission from Caribou $200,000 as part of the first round of funding for the “Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership” (IMCP).

The IMCP is a federal initiative that will help accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing in the United States and create jobs in cities across the country. In August, Governor LePage met with Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker at the U.S. Manufacturing Summit in Florida. The Summit focused on revitalizing manufacturing jobs in America. (Photo Link Below: Secretary Pritzker speaking with Governor LePage and other governors at the U.S. Manufacturing Summit)

“In Maine, we know that small businesses are the engine of our economy, and our commitment to American manufacturing will bring even more companies and jobs to our state,” Governor LePage said. “By refocusing government resources, we can partner with communities and work better to strengthen the economy and create new jobs. Simply put, business investment means jobs for Mainers.”

The $200,000 grant being awarded to the Northern Maine Development Commission will be used to create business and job opportunities and advance regional competitiveness through the Biomass Clean Tech Manufacturing Cluster Strategic Plan, which will advance the design and manufacture of biomass heating appliances in Northern Maine. An additional $75,000 of Rural Development funds will be used to develop a strategy to attract a European manufacturer of biomass heating appliances to northern Maine.

This first phase of the program provides 44 planning grants and investments totaling $7 million to support economic development strategies that recognize the community’s advantages as a place to do business, invest in public goods and encourage collaboration between multiple different entities to expand the area’s commercial appeal to investors.

“The IMCP is a program that challenges communities around the country to coordinate their resources for strategies on economic development,” said Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. “These planning grants and investments provide an opportunity for communities to design plans that help revitalize American manufacturing, attract investment, and strengthen our economy.”

The Northern Maine Development Commission and the other 43 award recipients being announced today are the first to receive funding through IMCP, a major reform effort to reward communities for creating globally competitive environments that attract, retain and expand investment in manufacturing and spur international trade and exports. Descriptions of each project can be found at www.commerce.gov/IMCP.
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Secretary Pritzker speaking with Governor LePage and other governors at the U.S. Manufacturing Summit

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