WASHINGTON – The Eastern Maine Development Corp. in Bangor has been awarded $365,000 in federal funds to continue helping small businesses throughout Maine secure government contracts.

The Defense Logistics Agency has awarded a U.S. Department of Defense Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement to EMDC’s Market Development Center, based in Bangor.

The Department of Defense will fund about half, or $365,000, of the agreement, U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe announced Thursday. The total agreement between the Defense Department and EMDC is worth $730,000.

“By tapping into the ingenuity and innovation of small businesses, our nation’s military will have access to a greater array of advanced technology developed by Maine businesses to aid our servicemen and women in their mission,” said Snowe, who is chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business.

Organized and managed by EMDC, the Market Development Center assists small businesses throughout Maine with obtaining government prime and subcontracting opportunities.

In 2003, the center helped Maine’s small businesses secure more than $100 million in government procurement contracts.

Information on services provided by the Market Development Center can be found at www.mdcme.org or by calling (800) 339-6389.