USDA Maine director praises county development efforts

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Agency has invested nearly $23 million in Piscataquis County during the past five years, and the state director of the agency said that it was money well-spent.
    Virginia Manuel was the keynote speaker at the annual meeting of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council Monday night where she praised the organization for their perseverance in improving the infrastructure and creating jobs in one of Maine’s poorest counties.

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    KEYNOTE SPEAKER — Virginia Manuel, director of the Maine office of the USDA Regional Development Authority, was the keynote speaker at Monday night’s annual meeting of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council.

    Manual said that during her travels around the state, many people assume that USDA is related to farming. “Although we support agriculture producers, our mission is to build communities from the ground up. This includes everything from water and sewer systems to essential community projects like fire stations, health centers and libraries,” she said.
    Almost $10 million was invested in Maine housing alone, but Manuel said that what caught her attention while researching the figures was the amount local communities are willing to invest as well. “This is very important to help move our economy forward,” she said.
    Some of the business success stories include Elaine’s Café and Donuts in Milo, the Pine Crest Development data center, the Riverfront Project in Dover-Foxcroft, Penquis Mental Health, Three Rivers Ambulance Co., the new Maine Woods Tourism website and smaller grants to help local businesses become more energy efficient.
    Manuel noted that Maine “has aging infrastructure throughout the state, and you can’t keep up with it. So we try to do as many communities as we can. We have about $30 million available for upgrades to water and sewer systems.”
    She also recapped the “Great Region” concept announced earlier this year where PCEDC is partnered with similar organizations in Aroostook and Washington counties, two areas with common demographics and economic challenges. “There’s strong leadership (in Piscataquis County) and there’s an ‘on-the-go’ feeling here,” she said. “Those of us from rural areas are hungrier for economic success. I know that’s the case in Aroostook County, and we believe in ourselves.”
    Manuel noted that Maine’s farming population “is growing, unlike most other states. There are 8,000 farmers in Maine … there’s huge interest here and it keeps local dollars in the community.” One of USDA’s key themes is “Know your farmer – know your food.”
    Manuel, who grew up on a potato farm in Aroostook County, is a graduate of UMaine with a B.S. degree in education and sociology and holds a graduate certificate in marketing and fund-raising administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
    She was appointed to her position as state director of rural development in September 2009.