WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest a total of $7,148,000 to help East Millinocket upgrade and improve its waste water treatment facility. The federal assistance, which comes in the form of $3,500,000 grant and a $3,648,000 loan, is provided through USDA’s Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. Representatives for Senator Collins and Senator King participated in an event to announce the federal support this morning in East Millinocket.

“This project is an important step forward in securing core community assets, enhancing the local economy, and protecting our natural resources,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “As we work together to address the significant challenges facing East Millinocket and the region, these investments from USDA Rural Development, coupled with local and state funding, strengthen the community and set the foundation for future economic development.”

The federal support will be awarded to the East Millinocket Sewer District and will be used to support improvements to East Millinocket’s waste water treatment facility by recycling existing infrastructure from the former mill and making significant upgrades to treatment equipment and processing capacity. These upgrades will also help support the environmental stewardship and preservation of the Penobscot River region.

Rural Development is an agency within the USDA that works to improve the economy and quality of life across rural America.

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