releases: https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-poliquin-announce-federal-investment-rural-small-businesses
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| url | title | date | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-poliquin-announce-federal-investment-rural-small-businesses | Pingree, Poliquin announce federal investment in rural small businesses | 2015-09-30 | 2015 | 2015-09 | Democrat | House | ME | Chellie Pingree | P000597 | pingree.house.gov | legacy | Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin announced $275,000 in federal grants for four Maine organizations to help grow the rural and agricultural economy in Maine. The grants will provide job training, low cost loans and improve distribution for agricultural products. "The agriculture economy has tremendous potential for growth, creating good jobs right here in Maine," Pingree said. "Investing in the local economy and local food is a good way to create economic growth in rural communities." "While traveling throughout Maine, it has been great to see, first-hand, the potential job growth local farms, such as Backyard Tomatoes in Madison, can provide for our communities," Poliquin said. "These grants will help provide more resources for our rural communities to provide more jobs for Mainers and create a better business climate." The grants, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are targeted at starting or expanding rural small businesses. The grants include: Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association (MOFGA) - $98,950. Rural Development funds will be used to assist with organic grower business consultation services, organic farming workshops and professional training, and third-party loans for non-production purposes from an organic farmers' revolving loan fund. The project has the potential to create 50 jobs. Kennebec Valley Council of Governments - $89,000. Rural Development funds will be used to assist with expanding the Maine Grains oat project. The project will consist of acquiring and installing oat-dehulling and related equipment and mechanical work, along with testing, package design, web consultation for online marketing, and project management. The project has the potential to create 21 jobs. Northern Maine Development Commission - $62,050. Rural Development funds will be used to help develop marketing strategies and improve distribution channels throughout the Great Region Diversified Agricultural Community of Aroostook, Piscataquis, and Washington Counties. The project has the potential to create 38 jobs. Aroostook Aspiration Initiative - $25,000. Rural Development funds will be used to assist with expanding the Internship Hub of Aroostook program. The project will conduct leadership training for prospective adult, rural entrepreneurs and managers, while establishing and developing rural learning programs that provide job training instruction related to potential employment and job advancement for adult students. The project has the potential over the next three years to create 75 jobs. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |