WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a total of $266,199 to three Maine snowmobile clubs through its Rural Business Development Grant program.  This funding will support Maine’s snowmobile industry and help to promote the development of small and emerging businesses in rural areas.

“Maine’s snowmobile industry brings thousands of visitors to our state each year, supporting small businesses and creating jobs in rural communities,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “We welcome this important funding from the USDA, which will help sustain this significant sector of our tourism industry and ensure Mainers and others can continue to enjoy our state’s extensive network of snowmobile trails.”

The funding will be distributed as follows:

·         Border Riders Sportsman Club, Inc., of Dennistown will receive $70,000 to purchase snowmobile trail grooming equipment. This equipment will supplement their existing grooming fleet and allow continued access to area businesses during the winter months. Border Riders Sportsman Club will assist 54 area businesses and save a total of 15 area jobs.

·         Pleasant Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club of Caswell will receive $99,999 to purchase snowmobile trail grooming equipment.  This equipment will replace an aging trail groomer and will allow continued access to area businesses during the winter months. Pleasant Ridge Riders will assist five area businesses and save a total of four area jobs.

·         Corundel Raiders of Corinna will receive $96,200 to purchase snowmobile trail grooming equipment.  This equipment will be an upgrade to an older model trail groomer and will allow continued access to area businesses during the winter months.  Corundel Raiders will assist five area businesses and save a total of six area jobs.