RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN Maine

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT CELEBRATES 

empowerment zone designation

AROOSTOOK COUNTY EMPOWERMENT ZONE

"USDA Rural Development is proud to be working with the Aroostook County Empowerment Zone to help bring opportunities for economic growth to Aroostook County," said Michael W. Aube, Maine Rural Development State Director. "Ten years from now we can reflect upon this day and be witness to the improved economic opportunities that have been brought to Aroostook County through our collaborative efforts."

Pictured at the signing ceremony (L to R) U. S. Representative John Baldacci; U.S. Senator Susan Collins;  U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe; Ed Nickerson, Chair, NMDC; and Michael Aube, Maine State Director USDA Rural Development.

To celebrate the designation of Aroostook County as an Empowerment Zone a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between USDA, Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) and members of Maine's Congressional Delegation.  Since the Zone's designation in January 2002, Rural Development has provided  $1,033,160 in loans and grants in the Zone. Click here for this event's Press Release. Click here to read Michael Aube's comments.

Pictured to the right:  Front row: (L to R) U. S. Representative John Baldacci; U.S. Senator Susan Collins;  U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe; Ed Nickerson, Chair, NMDC; and Michael Aube, Maine State Director USDA Rural Development. Second row: (L to R) Bob Clark, Executive Director NMDC; David Lavaway, State Executive Director USDA Farm Service Agency; Richard Ireland, Rural Development Manager, USDA Rural Development; Karen Murray, Deputy Director of Empowerment Program, Office of Community Development; Alden Turner, EZ/EC Specialist (USDA); and Patricia Sutherland, Chair, Northern Maine Economic Council.

MAINE'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION SUPPORTS ACEZ

To see previous edition of this page go to the Home Page Archive.

For more information on Rural Development programs and to find an office in your area, click on Contact Us or contact USDA Rural Development, 967 Illinois Avenue, Suite 4, P.O. Box 405, Bangor, ME 04402-0405, Telephone (207) 990-9160.

Accessibility Statement:

USDA Rural Development is committed to making our website accessible to all USDA customers and employees. Our web pages are undergoing review and redesign as necessary to ensure that they meet or exceed the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Many of our web pages currently meet the Section 508 accessibility standards. Furthermore, USDA Rural Development continues to work on making all web pages accessible. Thank you very much for your patience through this redesign process. If you have any comments or suggestions for improvement, please contact Cherri Waters at cherri.waters@me.usda.gov or (207) 753-9400 or Anne Todd at atodd@rdmail.rural.usda.gov or at (202) 720-1021.

USDA Accessibility Statement

Non-discrimination Statement:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Send mail to webmaster@rurdev.usda.gov with questions or comments about this web site.