“We are extremely pleased that Rural Development saw fit to support our efforts to build economic development infrastructure within our communities,” said PCEDC President Sophie Wilson, “The PCEDC will now be able to provide staff support to such varied projects as the Eastern Piscataquis Industrial Park in Milo or downtown revitalization in Monson.” Wilson, who also serves as Brownville's Town Manager, stated that private sector investment can be encouraged through select projects on the community level. Such project could be industrial park development, reviving downtown areas, enhancement of tourism-related infrastructure, and creating affordable housing opportunities for the region's workforce.

The grant, one of only 35 successful applications nationwide, was announced earlier by US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns [see Ag news release below]. PCEDC Executive Director Mark Scarano said that the grant would not have been possible without Piscataquis County's annual contribution to the PCEDC. “We've used the County's contribution as a cash match for this and other grants. The PCEDC has been very aggressive in seeking out alternative funding opportunities. In this way, we are able to build on local contributions.” Scarano said that he expects the PCEDC to hire a community development specialist sometime during September.

The PCEDC is a 501(c)3 non profit economic development organization dedicated to business attraction and retention, development of “business friendly” infrastructure improvements, promotion of the County's unique heritage, and tourism development within Piscataquis County.