WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded four Maine organizations a total of $1,343,036 in grant funding to support rural educational and health care services. The funding, awarded through the USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program, helps rural communities leverage the capabilities of telecommunications to stay connected, support their communities, and grow the economy.

“Telemedicine and distance learning help Maine people in rural communities live, work, study, and access health care in today’s digital world,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “By expanding telehealth and distance learning opportunities, we can make health care and education more available and more convenient. We commend the USDA for this important investment in the health and education of Mainers across the state.”

The grants are allocated as follows:

• City of Sanford will receive $495,541
• MaineHealth in Portland will receive $274,092
• School Union 76 and Isle Au Haut will receive $441,189
• New England Music Camp Association in Sidney will receive $132,214

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant program provides funding to rural hospitals, clinics, schools and libraries for equipment and technical assistance for telemedicine and distance learning. Grant recipients must demonstrate that they serve rural America, prove there is an economic need, and provide at least 15 percent in matching funds.

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