State received $4.9 billion in 1989 from Washington

WASHINGTON — Maine received $4.8 billion in grants, salaries, benefits, Defense Department procurement and other federal funds in 1989, according to a Census Bureau report released Friday.

Maine was the 14 highest recipient of federal funds on a per capita basis in fiscal year 1989, jumping from its 1988 rank of 27th. In 1989, the Pine Tree State received $3,896 for each Mainer, compared to $3,337 in fiscal year 1988, the Census Bureau said.

The state’s improved rank is the result of an increase in Defense Department purchases. Pentagon procurement in Maine rose from $517.6 million in 1988 to $1.15 billion in 1989, the report said.

In other areas, such as grant programs, agricultural subsidies, federal employee salaries and individual benefits, federal funds for Maine stayed about the same.

In 1989, the state received $2.3 billion in payments for individual benefits, such as social security, medicare and food stamps. The top recipients were California with $46.7 billion, New York with $34 billion and Florida with $29.7 billion.

Payments for salaries and wages to federal employees reached $537 million in Maine for 1989.