The Mills Administration released a report Wednesday detailing how the governor has spent the nearly $1 billion in COVID-era relief funds over the past two years.
The report comes on the two-year anniversary of Gov. Janet Mills’ Maine Recovery and Jobs Plan, which is the governor’s plan to use the over $984 million allocated to the State of Maine by the $1.9 trillion federal American Rescue Plan omnibus package of 2021.
The Mills Administration is required by federal law to spend all of the American Rescue Plan funds by Dec. 31, 2026, and has so far spent nearly $743 million — approximately 75 percent.
“Nearly four years ago, Maine and the world faced a once-in-a-generation pandemic that threatened lives and livelihoods of people across the globe. It was clear then that our state not only needed a strong public health response, but a deliberate plan to stabilize our economy and position our state for future prosperity,” said Gov. Mills said in a Wednesday press release.
“The Jobs Plan has helped strengthen our economy by making direct investments in the infrastructure that Maine people need to succeed, like housing and child care,” Mills said. “While we have more work to do, Maine’s economy is stronger than it was before the pandemic and continuing to grow thanks to the Jobs Plan.”
The three primary goals of the funds, outlined by the Mills Administration in Wednesday’s report, are to help Maine businesses recover from the pandemic-era government lockdowns, facilitate the state’s long-term economic growth, and to improve infrastructure.
Since Gov. Mills’ plan took effect in October 2021, the state has directed $175 million to Maine small businesses, invested in more than 400 infrastructure projects, and has allocated $30 million to affordable rental housing alongside $10 million in grants to the state’s homeless shelters.
To mark the two-year anniversary of the launch of the plan, the Mills Administration also launched an online dashboard showing data on which projects in Maine have received direct grants as part of the program.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="22815 https://www.themainewire.com/?p=22815">12 Comments
Forty million to affordable rental housing alongside $10 million in grants to the state’s homeless shelters yet both situations are worse now then before. Nice job Janet, cant wait till hear you tell the people of Maine how you spent the money on illegals.
“Maine’s economy is stronger than it was before the pandemic and continuing to grow.” What drugs has she been using? Only a damn fool or the Press Herald editors would believe that.
How much money was given to Native, born and raised Mainers on Disability to help with home based business?
I didn’t think so.
How much money was given to Native, born and raised Mainer’s on Disability to help with home based business?
I didn’t think so.
I am curious, was any money given to native, born and raised Maine residents, on Disability to help with home based business?
I didn’t think so.
Interesting, in Knox county and Rockland in particular two of the largest businesses are closing their doors FMC and Dragon Cement. These companies have employed a lot of Mainers in high paying jobs for a very long time. This will be devesting to the area, but I see employment possibilities in say pot shops.
A billion dollars. Result: epic damage to Maine ‘s economy. A lost decade of education. Violations of the 1st, 4th, and 14th Amendments by closing businesses and churches. Yet not one case of COVID prevented. Not one COVID death prevented. Kudos to you Janet Mills.
There are too many pot shops. Bring back the shoe and textile factories. Bring back the Paper mills. Bring back the farms and farmers.
A billion dollars and still no cable/internet available on my semi-rural road.
The Maine’s economic report sure doesn’t reflect that any of the money was well spent. Looks like a money laundering operation.. 10% for the “Big Girl”?
Can’t hardly wait for this old flea bag to be gone.
Janet “finger in the wind” Mills is a good socialist, progressive Dem who marches to the tune of the DC establishment. Spending money is her greatest achievement since becoming Gov. Many small businesses have shuttered their doors forever because of her dictatorial COVID mandates. Expect the remaining 25% of the ARP funds to be spent on buying votes for the upcoming Nov 2024 election. The free money checks will start to flow again.