Agency to honor magnet school grant> EDA to provide $600,000 for dormitory

CARIBOU — The federal government has decided to honor a grant commitment to the Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone after a federal agency attempted to rescind the $600,000 award.

That announcement was made Wednesday by U.S. Rep. John E. Baldacci, speaking to the Rotary Club in Caribou.

The money will be used to renovate the former Limestone elementary school into dormitory space. The school, which opens Tuesday, Sept. 5, is expected to have the dormitory ready by next fall.

The grant has been discussed between the federal Economic Development Administration and MSSM officials for about two years. Verbal support for the construction project had been voiced by EDA officials, according to James Patterson, magnet school director.

Then came the delay at the state level, regarding magnet school funding, which finally resulted in the Legislature granting $2.5 million over the next two years.

That delay, coupled with the federal budget cutting activity this summer in Congress, translated into EDA officials backing off on their commitment.

The situation surrounding the magnet school was about as “firm as Jell-O,” Patterson said Wednesday.

Then Baldacci and the other Maine delegation members became active in securing the grant money.

“The state made a commitment and the federal government has to live up to its commitment,” Baldacci told Caribou Rotarians.

Magnet school officials are scheduled to receive a letter dated Oct. 1 that will confirm the grant to the magnet school, Baldacci said.

“We’re tremendously pleased,” said Patterson. “It will help with the construction of our dormitory.”

During Baldacci’s trip to Aroostook County on Wednesday, he toured the Defense Finance and Accounting Service center at former Loring Air Force Base. He missed the center’s grand opening last month because of important upcoming votes in the House of Representatives.

He also met privately with various local officials.