Nancy Smith
Chief Executive Officer
GrowSmart Maine
227 Water Street, Suite 208
Augusta, ME 04330
August 28, 2025
The Honorable Susan Collins
United States Senator
413 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Subject: The Critical Value of Northern Border Regional Commission and USDA Rural Development Funding for Maine’s Communities
Dear Senator Collins,
Thank you for your long-standing support of our state’s rural communities and the federal programs that empower them. We are writing to follow up on recent conversations with your State Office Representative Carol Woodcock, and to provide specific, powerful examples of how this funding directly benefits Maine.
The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) is a powerful catalyst for change in our most remote areas. We have seen firsthand how it can transform a community by funding a single project. The Town of Danforth, for example, received an NBRC grant that made it possible to construct a downtown pavilion. This single investment, in a town that might otherwise be, in the words of the Town Manager Ardis Brown “forgotten by those without connection to it,” has become a hub for community life. It has hosted a food and bake sale, and more recently, a community ice rink was built at the pavilion. According to one community member, this has been “an immensely positive addition to our downtown and will surely be enjoyed for years to come!”
Continued federal support is crucial because, as a resident of Danforth noted, “without major support from federal programs, we would lose our small town to inertia and poverty, along with its vivid history and its vibrant determination.”
As the USDA State Rural Development Council and host of the Rural Partners Network in Maine, GrowSmart Maine has leveraged these vital programs for community development. We were recently awarded NBRC funding for a three-year deep dive into economic development with six rural border towns. This investment allows us to engage directly with communities, providing the technical assistance and training they need to grow and thrive. Our direct community technical assistance is also bolstered by the USDA’s Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) and Community Facilities: Technical Assistance and Training (CF:TAT) programs, which are essential for our ability to empower local leaders and drive grassroots-driven impact..
We saw the impact of the USDA’s Rural Development programs most acutely in the Town of Mexico, a key participant in our RCDI-funded Building Community Strength (BCS) program. The BCS program builds capacity and enables towns to access the expertise and resources they need to plan for and implement locally-identified priority projects. After their fire station was tragically destroyed by the 2023 floods, we worked with town leaders to navigate the process and access a USDA Rural Development grant. This funding enabled them to build a new station. This is a powerful testament to how federal support, when coupled with the guidance provided by organizations like ours, enables communities to rebuild and recover from disaster, reinforcing public safety and local resilience. In addition, the USDA ReConnect grant is making a tangible difference in towns like Roque Bluffs, where it will soon bring broadband to every home. This essential project will close the digital divide, a significant barrier to economic and personal growth, demonstrating the profound impact of these programs on the daily lives of Mainers.
These programs are not simply appropriations; they are investments in Maine’s future. They enable communities to build local economies, foster community cohesion, and provide the infrastructure necessary for Mainers to live and thrive in their hometowns.
We greatly appreciate your hard work and commitment to securing funding for these essential programs. The stories from our communities are a testament to the difference your efforts make. We ask that you continue to advocate for Maine’s rural communities through continuation of the Northern Border Regional Commission and USDA, Rural Development programming.
Sincerely,
Nancy E. Smith
Chief Executive Officer
GrowSmart Maine