Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today announced two grants totaling $700,000 will be awarded to two institutions in her district. The Greater Portland Council of Governments will receive $400,000 and the University of Southern Maine will receive $300,000, both from the Economic Development Administration. The funding, authorized under the CARES Act, will assist the respective institutions in coronavirus response, recovery, and resiliency. 

“Businesses across Maine are facing the urgent challenge of prioritizing public health and protecting their workers while keeping their doors open. We need to provide the most up-to-date data and guidance to help support that balance and sustain our economy in the face of this unprecedented crisis,” said Pingree. “I’m pleased that this important funding, provided under the CARES Act, will equip the Maine EDA University Center and the Greater Portland Council of Governments to develop recovery and resilience plans, improve coordination, and provide technical assistance to businesses and communities in need.” 

Details of the grants are below:

• Greater Portland Council of Governments: $400,000
  • Supports redevelopment and revitalization in the region to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.
  • The scope of work requires the recipient to undertake one or more of the following pre-approved activities: (1) the development of an economic recovery and resilience plan, tied to the applicant’s approved Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, to address the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, (2) the deployment of disaster recovery coordinators to orchestrate the region’s response to the pandemic, (3) the provision of technical assistance, as necessary, to local governments, businesses, and other stakeholder organizations, and (4) the funding of appropriate technology and staff support for these pandemic-response activities.
• University of Maine System of Portland, Maine: $300,000
  • Supports redevelopment and revitalization in the region to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.
  • University Centers receiving these supplemental awards are required to implement one or more scope of work activities that have been pre-approved by EDA: (1) providing technical assistance to entrepreneurs, businesses, and communities to assist in economic recovery efforts, (2) assisting with solutions to move courses to an on-line platform to support the business and entrepreneurial community, (3) supporting technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, product development and manufacturing aimed at the prevention of, preparation for, or response to the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, (4) conducting, sharing and disseminating applied research to address challenges resulting from the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, and (5) assisting communities in identifying and supporting workforce talent through workforce training and other professional development programs.

 

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