Jobs and Economic Development

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) as well as U.S. Rep. Andy Harris (R-M.D.) today led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen urging the administration to immediately increase the statutory cap of H-2B visas for fiscal year 2019 as authorized by the… Read more »

Brunswick, Maine—This morning, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) held a press conference at CEI in Brunswick to raise awareness of the USDA ReConnect Program, a new package of grants and loans to improve Internet speeds in rural areas. Along with stakeholders in attendance, Pingree discussed the problems that slow Internet in parts of Maine creates for those who live and work… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) today encouraged Maine communities to apply for a new USDA program providing loans and grants to improve rural broadband access.  “Slow internet in so many Maine towns is more than just an inconvenience for the people who live there—it’s a severe handicap. If we can’t bring their Internet speeds up quickly, our rural… Read more »

Waterville, Maine—Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced today that the City of Waterville will receive a Department of Transportation BUILD grant for a total of $7,371,200 to make a number of improvements to its downtown streets and traffic pattern.  “Some fantastic things have been happening in Waterville’s downtown over the last few years—new businesses,… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) announced today that two communities in her District—Bridgton and Rockland—will receive a total of $30 million in grants and loans to make critical improvements to their wastewater systems. Funding comes from the USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants Program, which Pingree has defended in Congress. “Having… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) announced today that Buxton-based VitaminSea would receive a $600,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) USDA grant to further develop SeaKelp+, a kelp-based additive for bread.  “Some of the most exciting things about Maine aquaculture right now are consumers’ growing awareness of seaweed’s nutritional benefits and the… Read more »

Maine’s Congressional Delegation announced today that Sanford-based Flemish Master Weavers prevailed in its application for an exemption from a tariff on yarn it uses to manufacture area rugs in Maine.  The ruling by the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board helps to level the playing field for Flemish Master Weavers to compete against foreign competitors and places the company in a… Read more »

Great morning spent in Waterville, talking with local organizations investing in the community's arts and creative economy. Amazing to see what's gone on here in last few years! Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced today that over $2 million in USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grants will be awarded to the University of Maine and a Waterville small business to advance Maine’s agricultural economy. FoodCorps, a program that offers food and agriculture education programs in several Maine communities, also received… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) announced today that Maine organizations will receive more than $1 million in funding from the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to recruit and train beginning farmers as well as assist farmers with chronic health issues and disabilities. Grants will go to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Somali Bantu Community… Read more »