Around the Region

Grant funding earmarked for trio of area businesses

By Stuart Hedstrom 
Staff Writer

    Applications for three grants made by a trio of businesses in the region are successful, Piscataquis County Economic Development Council Community Development Direction Dr. Ken Woodbury Jr. said. Dr. Woodbury, who worked on the grant applications with the businesses, said the funding packages are $90,000 for BS Farms in Dover-Foxcroft, $60,000 for New Beginnings Residential Care and Assisted Living in Milo and $30,000 for the Center Coffee House in Dover-Foxcroft.

ne-grantNewBeginnings-dcX-po-31Photos courtesy of PCEDC

    GRANTS FOR BUSINESSES — Three businesses in the region were recently awarded grant packages, through the work of the PCEDC. These grants are $60,000 for New Beginnings on Park Street in Milo and $90,000 for BS Farms on the Shamrock Road in Dover-Foxcroft, which has a restored cattle barn pictured. The third is the Center Coffee House on East Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft, which has been awarded $30,000 for start-up costs.

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    The $90,000 will assist BS Farms to make the necessary improvements to successfully raise and market pastured Angus beef. The farm, located on the Shamrock Road off Route 15, would be developed for high-end Angus beef, from about 40-50 head of cattle, to be processed at Herring Brothers with much of the meat intended to sold in southern New England.
    The total project cost on the over 100-acre farm is about $220,000, and the grant would fund the purchase of a tractor and reefer truck. Other aspects of the project include building a water collection system, water lines and fencing. The owner, who lives out of the area, has spent money to remodel the farm barn.
    Three farmhand jobs will be created at BS Farms, to be filled by low- to moderate-income (LMI) employees who will receive training on the job.
    The application for New Beginnings sought up to $60,000 for the construction of an addition and some renovations to the 90 Park Street facility, to increase the bed count from five to eight. An addition to the rear of the building would be for two beds, which would be for single rooms such as in the existing residential space. The grant would also help provide for an office area and space for childcare for employees.
    Per the grant stipulations, monies awarded need to matched dollar for dollar. With the $60,000 being awarded  New Beginnings — which is owned and operated by Tammy Trask who leases the building and has an option to buy — would match the funding for a total $120,000 project.
    Two new full-time, LMI employees would be added to the staff. One would be a certified residential medication aide and the other a certified nursing assistant, with cross-training going on once the positions have been filled.
    The $30,000 for the Center Coffee House would be for start-up costs. The monies would make the necessary improvements at the ticket office at the Center Theatre and purchase coffee-making and relevant equipment for a gourmet coffee house. The Center Coffee House would be a separate business from the adjacent Center Theatre.
    During a meeting of the Dover-Foxcroft selectmen in April, owner Lori Sharrow said the plan is for the establishment to be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. as well as often when events are taking place at the theatre. When asked about the seating, Sharrow said the plan is to have four tables set up, two window seats and two comfortable chairs.
    The several positions created at the Center Coffee House would also be for LMI employees.
    All three grants are subject to a formal approval by officials in Dover-Foxcroft and Milo respectively, as these entities applied for the funds on behalf of the businesses. Dover-Foxcroft Select Chair Elwood Edgerly had asked if the town would be on the hook to repay awarded funds if grant stipulations end up not being met. Dr. Woodbury said the town can sign a form to pass this responsibility onto the business owner, as had been done in Milo with New Beginnings.

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