U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program has awarded $6.3 million to businesses and organizations across Maine, according to a joint statement from their offices.

"These USDA Rural Development loans provide vital opportunities for rural Mainers to enhance community services and boost economic growth," Snowe and Collins said in the statement. "From wind energy production to the lobster industry, these funds will allow for the development of a wide variety of economic projects and will bring valuable capital to Maine's communities."

The funding is distributed as follows:

• $2.26 million to the Harvest Hill Apple Company, LLC., J.W. PEAS Holding Co., Inc., & Re-Harvest, Inc. in West Poland- This business and industry guaranteed loan will be used to transfer ownership interest in the company and is expected to save 106 jobs.

• $50,000 to High Vale Partners D, LLC in Freeport- This Value-Added Producer grant will be used to support a feasibility study for a wind energy generation project in Sherman.

• $50,000 to Shamrock Partners, LLC in Freeport- This Value-Added Producer grant will fund a feasibility study for a wind energy generation project in Ft. Fairfield.

• $150,000 to Catch a Piece of Maine, LLC in Portland- These Value-Added Producer funds will be used to pay for working capital expenses to expand marketing of a new approach to lobster sales directly from the harvester to the consumer.

• $1.18 million to the Southern Maine Community Recreation Center in Gorham- This Community Facility Guaranteed Loan will help the center acquire an existing community athletic/recreational training facility located in Gorham.

• $2.6 million to the Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent- This Community Facility Guaranteed Loan will be used to replace the current outdated boiler with a new bio-mass boiler which will keep operation costs down.