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Pingree Announces $2,654,124 in USDA Grants to Support Remote Learning

Washington, February 25, 2021

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today announced the U.S.  Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $2,654,124 in grant funding to three educational institutions in Maine’s First Congressional District to support remote learning during the coronavirus pandemic.

“School systems, teachers, staff, and students have all had to pivot quickly to accommodate remote learning during this unprecedented global public health crisis. Ingenuity and flexibility have helped, but this federal funding will go far in supporting these school districts and their students,” said Pingree. “I worked to secure this federal funding because it will help hundreds of thousands of Mainers learn and teach safely through the pandemic.”

Details of the grants are as follows:

  • Aucocisco School, Cape Elizabeth, Maine: $708,487
    • This Rural Development investment will be used to purchase teleconferencing equipment to connect 16 schools, including public schools and special-purpose private schools, in seven counties in rural Maine. The schools will use the equipment to access professional development and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) activities. It also will provide more reliable communication for students at home due to the pandemic. 
  • Sanford School Department, Sanford, Maine: $945,637
    • This Rural Development investment will be used to expand the Sanford School Department's middle school aquaponics program into a district-wide STEM education program. It will enable Kittery students and others to access STEM-related career training from the Sanford CTE center. The project will provide a more flexible approach to teacher professional development. It also to keep the schools open in hybrid learning during the remainder of the pandemic. 
  • University of Maine System, Portland, Maine: $1,000,000
    • This Rural Development investment will be used to install interactive video teleconferencing equipment at 42 locations across 11 Maine counties. The project will expand educational opportunities for students at remote rural centers and campuses, and help medical clinics expand access to telehealth services for rural patients.