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WCCOG's Brownfields Assessment Program

Working Waterfront

Sustainable Tourism

 Partners 
Sunrise County Economic Council

Maine Office of Community Development

 Economic Development 
In partnership with Washington County's economic development community, WCCOG supports efforts that promote regional economic development through regional initiatives and coordination of local and regional economic development efforts.

In recent years, WCCOG's economic development efforts have largely been focused on telecommunications infrastructure planning and promotion of Washington County's natural resourced based industries, notably through promotion of sustainable tourism and maintaining access to working waterfront.

A current (Aug-Sept, 2011) funding opportunity from the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) is available to member states, local governments (city and county) and non-profit entities within the NBRC region (map). The grant award schedule started July 27 and announcements will be made at the end of September with the goal of awarding approximately $1.25 million for projects in the following categories:

1. To develop the transportation infrastructure of its region;

2. To develop the basic public infrastructure of its region;

3.  To develop the telecommunications infrastructure of its region;

4. To assist its region in obtaining job skills training, skills development, and employment-related education, entrepreneurship, technology, and business development;

5. To provide assistance to severely economically distressed and underdeveloped areas of its region that lack financial resources for improving basic health care and other public services;

6. To promote resource conservation, tourism, recreation, and preservation of open space in a manner consistent with economic development goals;

7. To promote the development of renewable and alternative energy sources.

More details are available in the federal grant program eligibility and clarification notes. The grant application form, SF-424 form, budget information, and SF-424D form are also posted here. Please note that applications must be filed with the Northern Maine Development Commission; contact Alain Ouellette no later than August 29th.

WCCOG is currently administering a $400,000 grant from the USEPA to implement a Brownfields Assessment program. The goal of WCCOG's Brownfield Assessment Program to promote economic development through the re-use of abandoned, idled or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.

Through partnership with the Sunrise County Economic Council, we also provided assistance to local businesses in applying for and administering Economic Development Grants through the Office of Community Development's Community Development Block Grant program.

WCCOG is a municipal membership organization that delivers a wide range of customized planning, advisory
and resources development services to help communities build the future of Washington County, Maine.

Washington County Council of Gov'ts
PO Box 631, Calais, ME 04619
(207) 454-0465 Fax: (207) 454-2568
Toll free (888) 287-3006