MADAWASKA, Maine — The town accepted a matching $63,153 American Rescue Plan Act grant from Aroostook County on Tuesday. The money will help finance water and sewer work being done at the midtown plaza on Main Street.
The town received $2 million from the federal government just two weeks ago to help revitalize the shopping plaza area. The new funding will also go toward rebuilding the lot, creating entrances on Main Street and Seventh Avenue and building ADA-compliant sidewalks.
The federal money, which comes from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, will significantly speed up the work. It is the last big piece needed to replace essential infrastructure. It will also fund electric vehicle charging stations, a multi-use recreation trail, public bathrooms and space where vendors can showcase their products.
The town has also received grants from the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, the Community Development Block Grant Program and the Northern Border Regional Commission to help revitalize the plaza.
The water and sewer work, which the ARPA money is specifically funding, will support Fish River Rural Health’s expansion into the plaza.
Fish River Rural Health currently has a part-time clinic in Madawaska, but officials are expanding to a larger full-time facility due to a significant increase in demand. Fish River CEO Heather Pelletier said the facility has seen a 31 percent increase in visits from January to June of last year when compared to this year.
“What needs to happen there no matter what, for Fish River Rural Health to be able to build, is the sewer line needs to be relocated,” Town Manager Gary Picard said.
He said the town will use its existing ARPA monies to fund the match.
The town likely will not be able to proceed until about November, which would be too late to begin construction, Picard said.
“There are a lot of things that have to happen before you can put a shovel in the ground,” he said. “There’s a lot of paperwork.”
The board of selectmen unanimously agreed to accept the funding.
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