Power project grant to help Sherman attract businesses

SHERMAN – Like in many other Aroostook County towns, officials in this municipality are taking steps to recruit businesses to the area to bring jobs to its residents and invigorate its economy.

Although it remains a challenge, town officials said on Monday that a recently secured grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program will bring them closer to their goal.

The town has received $65,759 of more than $1.6 million that was awarded to the state from the USDA’s Rural Development initiative.

U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins announced the news in a joint statement.

Town Manager Deb O’Roak said on Monday that the money will be used to help extend three-phase power to a site dedicated for industrial development on Extract Road.

“This is great news for our community,” she said. “We are working to secure potential business development in that area, and a benefit to attracting businesses would be to have three-phase power. This grant will make that possible.”

Three-phase power is an efficient means of supplying large electrical loads and is used extensively in industrial areas.

O’Roak added that three-phase power also will help make the town’s transfer station, which is located on Extract Road, more energy-efficient.

The USDA Rural Development program provides guaranteed loans, approved loans, and approved grants that help improve the economy and quality of life in rural communities throughout the nation.

The loans and grants are used for community programs, and help to construct or improve community facilities for health care, public safety and public services.

Snowe and Collins said they were pleased that the state received the USDA funding.

“Providing federal assistance to community projects and nonprofit organizations is extremely important to our state,” they said. “We are particularly pleased that these funds will help promote industrial development in Aroostook County, which will eventually help create good-paying jobs in this part of our state.”

O’Roak said that the power extension project is scheduled to be completed by the end of this month or the beginning of August.