Washington County projects get funding

MACHIAS — Washington County projects have gotten a boost from the Sunrise County Economic Council through the support of the Coastal Program of the Maine State Planning Office.

The following projects have been approved for funding with a total of $66,400:

Regional, coordinated tourism development project focusing on heritage and nature-based tourism, $22,900;

Certificate of Need for proposed Machias Veterans home, $10,000;

Feasibility study of land-based scallop aquaculture in Jonesport, $3,000;

Business development opportunities in fin fish and shellfish aquaculture, marine engineering, marine food products and biotechnology, $12,000;

Upland cranberry agriculture demonstration site in Columbia, $3,000;

Upland lingonberry cultivation demonstration, $2,500;

USDA Small Business Innovation Research grant for nontraditional upland cranberry bed design, $2,500;

Development of a Maine Cranberry Web page, $2,000;

Site plan and design for recreation trail system in Grand Lake Stream, $5,000;

Site development study for Nash Lake, Calais, $3,500.

Two grants also have been approved to buy computer equipment and support a newsletter for regional organizations.