Dexter Regional Development Corporation will receive $40,000 in funding to be used to purchase equipment for a farmers' market.  The Dexter Community Farmer's Project is an initiative in the Town of Dexter to support local farmers by opening a year-round farmer's market to provide farmers another avenue to sell their food products and promote healthy eating.

This project will market food items such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat.

This project will also feature a kitchen component that will have a variety of uses such as to host an array of workshops for the farmers and the community, as well as, hold workshops and classes which will include, but are not limited to: cooking classes, food preparation seminars, and farmer demonstrations.

The funding announced for Maine today is part of $242.3 million being funded nationwide through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Program, which is being matched with $58.4 million from other sources. Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.

"These USDA investments are very important to rural communities in Maine ," said Michaud. "They not only help improve community infrastructure, but they also create much needed jobs."

Virginia Manuel, State Director of USDA Rural Development in Maine, also said she was pleased to learn about the funding. "Through these grants, Rural Development is helping to ensure that rural Maine communities have access to local and nutritious food, supporting local agriculture, and providing assistance that will help meet health care needs," said Manual.

The Indian Township Passamaquoddy Reservation Health Center will receive $110,600 for renovations to its building and the Progress Center in Norway will receive $84,000 to renovate a community soup kitchen.