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Jobs and Economic Development

Over $700,000 in grants coming to Maine thanks to funding Congresswoman Chellie Pingree inserted into Farm Bill

| Posted in Press Releases

Seven Maine organizations are receiving over $700,000 in federal investments to promote the local food economy thanks to funding Congresswoman Chellie Pingree was able to insert in the Farm Bill that passed Congress in2014. "Every dollar we put into the local food economy stays in our community and generates jobs and income for the people who live here.  Building the farm economy is…

Pingree says failure to reauthorize Export Import Bank leading directly to loss of work in Maine

| Posted in Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said that GE has decided to move work out of Maine and three other states because Congress has failed to reauthorize the agency that provides financing for U.S. companies exporting products overseas. General Electric announced today they are moving 500 jobs from facilities in Maine, Texas, New York and South Carolina to France, Hungary, and China because…

Pingree to introduce legislation to help asylum seekers apply for work more quickly

| Posted in Press Releases

At a meeting today in Portland to discuss immigration issues with a coalition of Maine mayors, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced her plans to introduce federal legislation that would reduce the amount of time asylum seekers must wait to apply for a work permit. The bill will mirror legislation Angus King introduced in the U.S. Senate.  “What I heard today from these…

Pingree statement on layoffs at Verso Paper Androscoggin Mill in Jay

| Posted in Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree released the following statement on news that a portion of Verso Paper’s Androscoggin Mill in Jay would be closed, laying off 300 employees.  “This is terrible news, especially in light of other recent mill closings across the state.  I’m heartbroken for these workers and their families, and will do everything I can to make sure…

Pingree says Obama Administration to resume processing visas for temporary workers

| Posted in Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said this afternoon that Department of Homeland Security has agreed to immediately resume processing of H-2B visas for seasonal workers.  "This is good news for small businesses in Maine who need to hire these workers to staff up for the summer tourist season.  A delay in processing these requests would have made life very difficult for these…

Pingree asks Obama Administration to process visas for guest workers

| Posted in Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today wrote to Labor Secretary Thomas Perez and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, asking them to work together to find an immediate solution to a problem affecting temporary visas for seasonal workers.  The Department of Labor has stopped processing applications for the H-2B visas in the light of an ongoing federal court…

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