Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today announced two Maine institutions have been awarded a total of $3,392,500 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Community Facilities Program. The funding, which was awarded to the Children’s Discovery Museum in Waterville and Regional Transportation Program, Inc. in Cumberland County, will help improve critical community facilities in rural areas. 

“As the most rural state in the nation, Mainers know how important it is to make our community institutions modern and accessible. I’m pleased to see these two large grants come to rural Maine, especially at a time when capital isn’t necessarily readily available due to constraints from the coronavirus pandemic. Supporting rural Maine is a top priority for me, and I’ll continue to advocate for rural funding through my role on the House Appropriations Committee,” said Pingree.

Details of the investments are as follows:

• Children's Discovery Museum, $692,500 loan and $67,500 grant
  • This Rural Development investment will be used to purchase the building and make renovations located at 7 Eustis Parkway in the city of Waterville, Maine. The museum will provide high-quality exhibits and programs that children and families can enjoy while promoting social, cognitive, problem solving, and other developmental skills for children ranging in age from 6 months to 8 years of age. The building will serve as the new location of the museum and will meet the current needs of the museum as well as the future needs of the museum and community. 
• Regional Transportation Program Inc., $2,700,000 loan
  • This Rural Development investment will be used to construct an office building and garage on the property that Regional Transportation Program purchased in 2019. The new location will provide the space, efficiencies, and location necessary to meet the organization's and client's needs. Regional Transportation Program Inc. was established in 1976 as a small non-profit, paratransit agency designated by the state of Maine to provide specialized transportation services for the disabled, elderly, low income, and general public residents throughout Cumberland County. Regional Transportation Program provides the connectivity for individuals that enables independence, enhances quality of life, and empowers engagement of people and the communities in which they reside. For people who have no other way to get where they need to go, Regional Transportation Program plays a critical role in the chain of access to an individual's needs. With a fleet of 29 lift equipped busses and vans, 30 agency certified drivers, and 20+ volunteer drivers; Regional Transportation Program provides more than 600 rides/day to individuals who need reliable transportation for medical appointments, grocery shopping, work, and other places of importance.

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