FEMA urged to Expedite Disaster Relief to Brownville Area

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Mike Michaud issued the following statement in response to the severe floods in Brownville, Patten, and Milo, Maine:

"I was deeply concerned to hear the news of the flash floods that occurred in Brownville, Milo, and Patten over the last several days. My staff and I have spent the last two days reaching out to and connecting with the towns affected by the floods to offer our support and services. In addition to the towns, we have reached out to Cate Street, Maine Montreal Atlantic Railway, and Maine Department of Transportation to obtain updates and learn how we can be helpful. My staff also visited the region this afternoon and will be keeping me informed about the ongoing situation.

"I spoke to FEMA this afternoon to pass along information about the floods from the communities and to alert them to a likely request for disaster relief from the state. I emphasized how important it is that this request for disaster assistance be handled expeditiously to limit economic damage to Piscataquis and Penobscot Counties and to the entire state.

"In the coming days, I will continue to work to help the area recover and to ensure that any request for disaster assistance is quickly processed by FEMA. I look forward to visiting the affected region this Saturday."

$125,000 for Madison Police Department

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Department of Justice has awarded the Madison Police Department a $125,000 Community Oriented Policing Service (COPS) Hiring Program (CHP) grant.

CHP grants provide funding to help law enforcement hire or rehire career law enforcement officers to increase community crime prevention efforts. A provision requires that newly hired officers must be military veterans with at least six months of active military service which occurred on or after September 11, 2001.

"This important grant will allow the Madison Police Department to hire a recently returned veteran who will help to keep our communities safe," said Michaud. "I am pleased that the COPS Hiring Program is, for the first time, working directly to help combat the high rate of joblessness among veterans."

2012 CHP grants will provide new or rehired officers 75 percent of funding for entry-level salaries and benefits for three years. Rehired officers can include officers previously or scheduled to be laid off due to local budget cuts.

Emergency Assistance for Maine Military Authority Workers

WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman Mike Michaud announced the release of a $100,485 supplemental National Emergency Grant (NEG) that will allow Maine Department of Labor to continue to providing employment assistance to approximately 75 workers impacted by layoffs at Maine Military Authority in Limestone.

"This important funding will ensure that the 75 workers affected by layoffs at Maine Military Authority continue to have access to essential employment services," said Michaud. "In this tough climate, National Emergency Grants provide vital assistance that help workers get back on their feet."

According to the Department of Labor, National Emergency Grants are discretionary awards by that temporarily expand service capacity at the state and local levels through time-limited funding assistance in response to significant dislocation events. Today's award follows an initial $463,083 NEG grant to help Maine Military Authority workers in May of 2011, bringing the total project amount to $563,568.

USDA Rural Energy for America Grants

WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman Mike Michaud announced that seven businesses in Maine's second congressional district have received Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants totaling nearly $75,000. Last week, Michaud and several of his House colleagues introduced legislation to reauthorize REAP programs in the 2012 Farm Bill.

"These REAP investments help small businesses across the state make necessary energy efficiency investments that save money in the long-run," said Michaud. "I introduced the Rural Energy for America Act to renew important programs like REAP that help to advance new energy technologies and create jobs at home."

REAP grants and loans help rural small businesses and agricultural producers energize energy efficiency programs and gain access to renewable energy sources. Since 2009, REAP programs have supported 29 projects in Maine with $1.2 million in grants and approximately $1.7 million in loans.

Businesses in Maine receiving assistance through REAP grants:

Bass/Wilson Properties, LLC - $2,375

Haley Construction, Inc. - $3,705

Hutchings Greenhouse, Inc. - $5,850

Long Meadow Farm - $3,854

IZE, LLC - $19,275

LaJoie Growers, LLC - $6,612

Inn of Acadia, LLC - $33,250