Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is awarding Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI) with $800,000 in federal funding. The funding, which is a combination of grant and loan dollars, will fund a program to purchase equipment, provide working capital, and expand workforce training in Maine.

“CEI invests in businesses and communities that face greater barriers in accessing capital—like the rural or coastal small communities that are the lifeblood of Maine,” said Pingree. “I’ve prioritized funding for this program on the Appropriations Committee because I know how impactful it is in creating an economy that works for everyone. This grant will go a long way in making sure employees are well-trained and paid a living wage, and I thank HHS for the support.”

“Our Growing Good Jobs in Rural Maine Initiative is designed to meet a need for not any job, but for good jobs that can help people with low incomes receiving public assistance or earning a low wage rise out of poverty and achieve financial self-sufficiency,” said CEI President Keith Bisson. “We are delighted to have this financial support to invest in rural small businesses so they can create positions that pay a living wage, provide career advancement opportunities, and include benefits like health care and paid sick leave. We are grateful to Rep. Chellie Pingree and her staff for their support in this process.”

HHS is awarding CEI the funds through the Community Economic Development program. Pingree, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, has long fought to ensure funding for workforce training programs such as those awarded to CEI.

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