Rural development

BANGOR – Michael W. Aube, state director of USDA Rural Development, has announced that Herbert Gibson of Carmel has joined the USDA Rural Development staff as a contract analyst at the state office in Bangor.

Gibson has 20 years’ experience in the private sector, having worked in architectural and engineering firms in contract and construction administration, as well as management on residential, commercial and industrial projects.

He holds certifications in contract documents, construction contract administration, and concrete flat-work methods and is in the process of obtaining professional certification in construction management. He was previously senior construction administrator-project manager for Construction Management Consultants in Carmel. He holds a bachelor’s degree with an environmental concentration from the University of Maine at Fort Kent.

Technical assistance grants

BANGOR – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced nearly $6.7 million in technical assistance grants to 31 nonprofit community-based development organizations and low-income communities or federally recognized tribes to improve their ability to develop rural housing, technology, economic development and community facilities in 20 states.

In Maine, recipients of the Rural Community Development Initiative Grants were Eastern Maine Development Corp. of Bangor and the Genesis Fund of Damariscotta.

Rural Development State Director Michael W. Aube said, “These grant funds will help rural communities play an active role in creating community and economic development, which will have immense benefit to Maine’s fishing and island communities. These funds ensure that tradition and opportunity work hand in hand to provide a better quality of life for Maine’s rural residents.”

Eastern Maine Development Corp. will use $59,000 in grant funds for community development in traditional fishing communities in Downeast Maine. Assistance will be provided to the Penobscot East Resource Center, which will provide community and economic development technical assistance to grassroots organizations involved in fisheries development issues. This will help sustain the long-term health and vitality of the fishing industry in Downeast Maine.

Recipients are required to obtain matching funds that will double the impact of the USDA grants.