News Briefs

SAD 15 to receive State money for school renovations

Finance and Operations Director Terry Towle informed the Facilities Renovations and Upgrade Committee (FURC) that the Department of Education has decided that the School Disctict is eligible for $3,995,825 of Revolving Renovation Fund Subsidy. SAD 15 (Gray and New Gloucester) will receive $2,219,281 in full subsidy and $1,776,544 in interest free loans.

Out of the total applications of $5,100,000 the SAD is getting state help for $3,995,825. This still has to be verified by The Bureau of General Services. The SAD is proposing a bond for 10 million this November to help bring all five schools up to code and to meet space and curriculum standards. The difference between the 4 million and total of approximately 10M will be local assessment, if the bond passes.

The final figure was to be confirmed at the SAD 15 Board meeting on September 21. FURC has been working for 8 months to review the facilities' needs and prioritize the proposed upgrades. Membership on the Committee consists of the School Board members, the citizens, Admninistrators, and architects hired from PDT in Portland who have worked with SAD 15 previously and are familiar with the buildings. An application was sent to the Department of Education in August.

Second Great American Tea Party

The Citizens Alliance of Maine, a statewide, grassroots organization, asks citizens who are tired of property tax bills, excise taxes, income taxes and other taxes to attend the Second Great American Tea Party to be held on September 24th, at 9 a.m.at the Windham Veterans Center located behind the Hannaford's Shopping Center on Route 302 in North Windham.
Bring a copy of your property tax bill to burn. The featured speaker will be Mary Adams who will highlight the petition drive for the Maine Taxpayers Bill of Rights. Any questions please contact Lane Hiltunen, Windham, 893-1589.

Rep. Tom Allen Announces $1,130,000 in Treasury Department Grants to Maine
Coastal Enterprise, Inc. and Genesis Fund, Inc. to receive funds through the CDFI program

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Tom Allen today announced that the U.S. Department of the Treasury has awarded grants totaling $1,130,000 to two Maine organizations under the Department's Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund program. Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI) of Wiscasset will receive $855,000. The Genesis Fund, Inc. of Damariscotta will receive $275,000. According to the Department's description, the CDFI Fund "seeks to strengthen the financing, capacity and sustainability of organizations [like CEI and The Genesis Fund] so they may better address the capital and financial services needs of the low-income communities they serve."

"Both CEI and the Genesis Fund have proven track records in providing financing services to support affordable housing and community development projects in target Maine communities," Representative Allen said. "CEI will use its grant to supply equity capital for its affordable housing initiatives in Western Maine. The Genesis Fund grant will enable the organization to provide permanent financing for both affordable housing and community facility projects in underserved Maine communities. These CDFI grants are yet another example of how a modest investment of federal aid can go a long way in making it possible for Maine people to address important community needs."