Commerce Grant to Create Manufacturing Jobs in Northern Maine

The U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded $200,000 to a program designed to create business and job opportunities in biomass in northern Maine.

Governor Paul LePage announced the grant to the Northern Maine Development Commission in Caribou for the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership program. The grant will be used to advance the design and manufacture of biomass heating appliances.

In August, Governor LePage met with Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker (photo) at the U.S. Manufacturing Summit in Florida. The summit focused on revitalizing manufacturing jobs across the country.

The $200,000 grant being awarded to NMDC will be used to create business and job opportunities and advance regional competitiveness through the Biomass Clean Tech Manufacturing Cluster Strategic Plan.

An additional $75,000 of Rural Development funds will be used to develop a strategy to attract a European manufacturer of biomass heating appliances to northern Maine.