Jobs and Economic Development

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced today that InnovaSea Systems in Augusta will receive a $99,771 Small Business Innovation Research grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to research the feasibility of using wood fiber composite materials for the aquaculture pens it manufactures.    “These types of grants have been key in helping Maine small businesses test… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said today that Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) headquartered in Portland is getting a $5.35 million Department of Energy grant to finish development of the commercial design of its TidGen Power System.  The new design will be tested, operated and monitored in Washington County.  This DOE funded project is a critical next step in the eventual… Read more »

Coastal Counties Workforces Inc. in Brunswick receives Department of Labor TechHire grant to help Mainers secure jobs in IT industry Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today announced that Maine will receive $7,340,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency Brownfield Program to assess and cleanup polluted properties throughout the state.   “Brownfield grants have been absolutely critical in helping Maine communities move forward by cleaning up sites contaminated by former industrial uses so they can be… Read more »

Congresswoman Pingree with U.S. Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary and Senator Angus King at the announcement. This morning, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joined Senator Angus King and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Jay Williams to announce two major investments in Maine entrepreneurs and small businesses.     “We have many… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said today that Bath Iron Works is in line to get an agreement to build another DDG 51 destroyer, in addition to the five that the yard already has contracted with the Navy for.  The contract for the extra ship is triggered by a 2002 agreement with the Navy that gives BIW another DDG 51 if the Huntington Ingalls Shipyard in Mississippi is awarded a… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today voiced her continued support for designating land in Maine’s North Woods donated by Elliotsville Plantation Inc. (EPI) as a National Monument or National Park.  “A National Monument or Park in the North Woods would bring much-needed economic development to Northern Maine as it faces major economic challenges,” said Pingree.… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said the text of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade deal released today confirms that it would be a bad deal for Maine and the country.   "The TPP would undermine basic safety standards for imported food, medicines and even toys," Pingree said.  "And it would be a lousy deal for American manufacturers, putting them in direct… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree voted tonight to reopen the Export Import Bank after its authorization to operate expired this summer.  Congressional leaders had blocked any attempt to pass a bill to reauthorize the Bank until Pingree and her colleagues signed a discharge petition forcing a vote.   "It's outrageous that it took this long and required a petition by Members of… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joined a successful effort to force House leaders to allow a vote on a bill to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank (ExIm).  Since a majority of all House members signed what's known as a discharge petition, the bill will have to be voted on by the full House, likely later this month.    "This has dragged on way too long," Pingree said.… Read more »