County Tribal Communities to Get $200,000

Two northern Maine tribal communities will be getting more than $200,000 between them to improve economic development.

According to the Associated Press, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is giving the monies to the Aroostook Band of Micmacs and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. The USDA is splitting up the money with $120,000 going to the Aroostook Band of Micmacs and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians getting just under $100,000.

In a joint statement, Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King said the money will be used to improve business relations among tribal members.

The plan for the Micmacs is to use the money to determine the best use of their 3,000 acres of land and some of the the tribes other assets, while the Maliseets will create a loan account to fund small tribal businesses.