Congressman Mike Michaud has announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) will provide Pine Crest Development Corp. $1,508,200 to support the renovation of the former Mayo Mill in downtown Dover-Foxcroft. The abandoned mill will be transformed into a usable commercial and industrial space and a high capacity data center. The Mayo Mill Commercial Plaza and data center will use on-site hydroelectric power and take advantage of other renewable energy technology. According to the EDA, this project will create 82 jobs and result in $7,975,000 in private investment leveraged.

"This is exactly the type of investment our state needs right now," said Michaud. "The community of Dover-Foxcroft is doing a lot to position itself for economic growth, and this project will take them another important step forward. The team behind the redevelopment of the mill is made up of committed partners that have a vision for the future and a plan for growing jobs and attracting additional investments to the region. I couldn't be more pleased that the EDA is helping to revitalize this local landmark and bring new opportunities to the area."

Michaud has been a longtime supporter of the EDA. In March, he sent a bipartisan letter signed by 62 of his colleagues to the House Appropriations Committee supporting level funding for the Economic Development Administration (EDA) in Fiscal Year 2013. Michaud worked with Republican Congressman John Duncan of Tennessee to build support for the request.

Historically, there has been strong bipartisan support for EDA. In 2004, the Economic Development Administration Reauthorization Act passed 388 to 31 in the House of Representatives. The Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent, and President Bush signed it into law. Last year, 145 Republicans and 160 Democrats supported an amendment offered by Michaud to H.R.1 to restore funding for the agency.