WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded $1,556,969 in business development grants for rural Maine, according to U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins.

“Encouraging the growth of small businesses is the best way to provide economic prosperity and stability throughout our state,” Snowe and Collins said in a joint statement.

The funds awarded are:

. $498,800 for the town of Van Buren.

. $99,999 for the Franco-American Heritage Center at St. Mary’s.

. $58,295 for the town of Frenchville.

. $549,875 or the Penobscot Nation.

. $300,000 for the Four Directions Development Corp.

. $50,000 for the Northern Maine Development Commission Inc.