Rep. Arata's News from the Legislature

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Town of New Gloucester

385 Intervale Road, New Gloucester, ME 04260

(207) 926-4126 (phone) / (207) 926-4136 (fax)

Town of Poland

1231 Maine Street, Poland, ME 04274

(207) 998-4601 (phone) / (207) 998-2002 (fax)

Poland

Maine Economic Recovery Grant

Governor Janet Mills announced today that her Administration will launch A second phase of the Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program was launched yesterday, September 23, 2020.  

Phase 2 makes available approximately $95 million in remaining funds from Phase 1 and expands access to the Program by increasing the number of eligible businesses and non-profits.  Under Phase 2, businesses and non-profits that employ up to 250 people will be eligible for Grant rewards.  Previously, small businesses and non-profits with up to 50 people were eligible.  Additionally, licensed childcare and behavioral health organizations will be eligible in this round.  The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) estimates that nearly 3,000 more businesses and non-profit organizations will be eligible for grants as a result of the Program’s expansion. 

Moreover, up to $5 million of the $95 million will be dedicated to support the viability of businesses less than a year old, which were not previously eligible.  The Maine Technology Institute (MTI), which offers grants, loans, equity investments, and services to support Maine’s innovation economy, will lead the application review and financial disbursement of awards in their seven sectors.  New businesses not covered by the MTI’s seven sectors will be supported by DECD and the economic development districts.

The Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program is intended to help sustain the viability of Maine’s small businesses and nonprofits - not to replace lost profits – by providing short-term financial relief for businesses and non-profit organizations that incurred business disruptions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Expanding the size of businesses also expands its scope, since some types of businesses typically have more than 50 workers.  Applications for Phase 2 are now being accepted through Friday, October 23, 2020, at 11:59 p.m., with grants expected to be awarded in late November. 

In the coming days, the DECD will again be hosting several Economic Recovery Grant webinars with local economic development departments through Zoom.  Registration information for these webinars will be available soon on the DECD Web site.

Feedback from Phase 1 has been taken into consideration and incorporated into Phase 2.  The application has been streamlined, and the instructions are more direct.  There are still financial questions that allow Maine Revenue Services to audit results.

For additional information about the program, please visit the Department of Economic and Community Development’s Web site.

 

Visit a Scenic Byway

When the federal government creates a national scenic byway or all-American road, it means something.  Only the prettiest, most historic, and most enjoyable drives in the country earn these titles.  Maine has four of them.

  1. 40-mile Acadia All-American Road -- The journey begins on Route 3 on the mainland before moving onto Mt. Desert Island and through the Town of Bar Harbor.  From there, it rolls into the primary section of Acadia National Park.
  2. Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway – This Byway travels 78 miles along Route 201 through Maine forests from Solon to the Canadian border.  Towns such as Bingham and Jackman offer relaxing places to stop.  Spectacular foliage, abundant moose, and other wildlife make for enjoyable touring.
  3. Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway – This Byway offers many locations for outdoor fun, including golfing, boating, fishing, hiking, wildlife watching, skiing, and snowmobiling.  The 35-mile route winds past clear lakes and tree-covered mountains.  The Height of Land on Route 17 is one of Maine’s most picturesque overlooks.
  4. Schoodic National Scenic Byway – This Byway explores the quieter, less-developed side of Acadia National Park, and its neighboring communities.  Visitors drive the 29-mile route through small fishing towns, sheltered harbors, and dramatic coastline.

In addition to these federal routes, there are many picturesque State byways.

 

Make a Plan for Fall Foliage Hikes, Rides, and Paddles

Autumn in Maine is a glorious time of year.  The foliage puts on a spectacular show of colors.  For resources to help plan your fall foliage hike, ride, or paddle, click here.

To track foliage change and learn about trees, click here and scroll to the bottom.

 

Drought Conditions Worsen Across Maine As Little Precipitation Is Expected

Maine's Drought Task Force met virtually last week to discuss the worsening drought conditions across the State.  Since the Task Force met two weeks prior, more than 56% of the State is now under severe drought conditions.  Conditions in parts of Aroostook County have fallen into extreme drought conditions, prompting the Small Business Administration to enact a drought declaration for Aroostook County.  The drought declaration enables applicants across Aroostook and the contiguous counties of Penobscot, Washington, Piscataquis, and Somerset to submit to the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

There are currently no mandatory conservation measures, though some are voluntarily conserving.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Drinking Water Program (DWP) and MEMA have received several reports of dry wells.

MEMA launched a dry well survey last month and has received some feedback of dry wells in Somerset, Waldo, Sagadahoc, Penobscot, Kennebec, Franklin, Knox, and Washington counties.  The reported wells range between drilled and dug wells used for residential, irrigation, livestock, and/or "other" purposes.  Anyone wishing to complete the survey without Internet access can call 2-1-1.  Completing the survey does not guarantee any type of assistance, but it does help the Task Force determine how widespread the problem may be, and what resources may be needed.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that surface water levels are worsening statewide, nearing record low levels during what is already the lowest period of the year, while ground water levels are receding and slowly worsening.

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) reported a continued impact to most crops across the State, especially in Aroostook County, noting that special FSA Farm programs have been triggered to assist farmers, ranchers, and small businesses as the drought continues.  The FSA Farm programs automatically trigger once a county has been at D2 drought status for eight consecutive weeks or immediately upon hitting D3 status for any length of time, as reported weekly by the U.S. Drought Monitor.  Programs available include:

Citizens who may be experiencing low water levels in wells are also encouraged to take the following steps.

  • Avoid filling wells by a water hauler or fire department.  This could contaminate the owner's well, because water from an unknown source may contain toxins and water would likely leak out in a short amount of time.
  • Check water systems for leaks and fix them.  This can also save money for those on public water.
  • Ensure you have a full load before running dishwashers and washing machines.
  • Space out water usage to avoid a temporary shortage that could damage the pump.
  • If using drinking water from an outside source, make sure containers and the water source are clean.
  • Use a licensed well driller or pump installer to check water levels in wells for the most accurate assessment and advice, and to avoid contamination.

 

WIC Benefits Now Available Through EBT Card Statewide

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program has completed the transition from paper food vouchers to an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card more than a month before a deadline established by the federal government.  The new system is called eWIC.

The WIC program, administered by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), works to improve the health and nutrition of women, infants, and children during critical times of growth and development.  WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and supplies, and referrals to other services.  Participants statewide at nutritional risk receive WIC benefits through local WIC agencies in their communities.

The WIC program serves more than 16,500 individuals.  Pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, and infants and children up to age 5 are eligible.  Participants must meet income guidelines, live in Maine, and be determined by a health professional to be at "nutritional risk.”

Through the new eWIC system, benefits for WIC-approved foods are automatically entered onto an EBT card similar to a debit card.  This card replaces the current paper-based food instruments and cash-value vouchers that were redeemed at WIC-authorized stores statewide.

Maine rolled out eWIC in phases by county.  Penobscot and Piscataquis counties went live on June 22.  Aroostook, Hancock, Washington, Kennebec, and Somerset WIC participants began receiving cards on July 20.  Participants in Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Lincoln, Knox, Cumberland, and York counties started receiving cards on August 31.

Recognizing the value of eWIC, the federal Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 mandated that each state WIC agency implement an electronic benefit transfer system throughout the State by October 1, 2020.  Benefits of conversion to an electronic system include smoother and faster transactions at the register, and automatic electronic payments to vendors.

During the implementation period, Maine WIC paused its enrollment of new vendors.  This pause has now been lifted.  Enrollment information for stores can be found at www.maine.gov/WIC.

For more information about the benefits of WIC, how to enroll as a new participant, or store locations, please go to www.maine.gov/WIC.

 

Mainers Invited to Dispose of Unusable Pesticides

Free disposal, pre-registration by October 9 required

Thanks to a project sponsored by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry's (DACF) Board of Pesticides Control (BPC), as well as the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Mainers can dispose of unusable and unwanted pesticides free.  The Obsolete Pesticides Collection Program has kept more than 109 tons of pesticides out of the waste stream since its start in 1982.

This free annual Program is open to homeowners, family-owned farms, and greenhouses.  Collections will occur at four sites, including Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta, and Portland.

Participants must pre-register by October 9, 2020.  Drop-ins are not permitted.  Collected pesticides are taken to an out-of-state disposal facility licensed by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.  Information to register and fill out your obsolete pesticide inventory form may be found under "Resources" on the BPC Web site.

For additional information about the Program, click here.