USDA Rural Development expands community access points

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Maine State Director John Butera is announcing an expansion of the agency’s community presence across rural Maine. Beginning Sept. 8, the agency will establish recurring staff availability at USDA Service Centers throughout the state. With this new initiative, Rural Development staff will be on site at designated USDA Service Center locations one day each month, giving Mainers more convenient access to essential programs and the people that deliver them.

The Piscataquis County office at 42 Engdahl Drive in Dover-Foxcroft will be staffed the fourth Thursday of the month. For more information, contact Ivana Hernandez Clukey at ivana.hernandezclukey@usda.gov.

This added availability supplements current customer service center staffing in Presque Isle (735 Main St.), Bangor (1423 Broadway), Lewiston (254 Goddard Rd.) and Scarborough (306 US Route 1).

“Our goal is simple: make it easier for rural Mainers to connect with the resources that can improve their quality of life,” USDA Rural Development Maine State Director John Butera said. “President Trump and Secretary Rollins are committed to ensuring our rural communities have the infrastructure, resources and opportunity they need to thrive. By placing our staff directly in local USDA Service Centers, we are meeting people where they are and building stronger pathways to homeownership, business development and essential community services.”

The expanded presence utilizes existing USDA infrastructure to create more points of service delivery across Maine. The effort reflects USDA Rural Development’s ongoing commitment to strengthening rural communities and ensuring residents have access to federal programs.