USDA Rural Development Announces $17.9 Million Invested in Maine’s Rural Communities During Infrastructure Week

This Investment Will Improve Services for 27,000 People

(Bangor, Maine, May 20, 2026) - U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Maine State Director John Butera has announced that four communities in Maine are receiving a total of $17.9 million for community infrastructure projects. The announcement comes during Infrastructure Week 2026.

"USDA Rural Development and the Trump Administration work alongside rural communities every day as they plan strategically for the needs of their residents not just for today, but for the long term," said Butera. "It's not just about the family living there now, but about generation after generation of families that will call that community home. Investing in infrastructure is critical to that vision and ensures Maine people and businesses have what they need to support a strong quality of life."

Towns receiving investments from USDA Rural Development are:

• City of Gardiner is receiving a Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan & Grant in the amount of $3.2 million to implement upgrades at the Gardiner Wastewater Treatment Facility and Maine Avenue Pumping Station. These upgrades include a new Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system, which uses computer systems and sensors to remotely monitor, control, and automate processes. Upgrades also include screw pump and flow control box water level monitoring, chemical storage tanks, feed pumps with piping, aeration blowers, HVAC improvements, and a partial roof replacement. These upgrades will greatly improve the overall system's efficiency, extend the life of many critical components, and increase the level of safety for the system's operators, while also helping to preserve the quality of the nearby Kennebec River.
  
• City of Bath is receiving a Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan & Grant in the amount of $7.6 million for upgrades to its Water Pollution Control Facility. These upgrades will eliminate coliform/enterococci violations and alleviate health and sanitary concerns. As a permitted combined sewer overflow system, storm runoff is processed through the city's wastewater infrastructure. Timely completion of these upgrades is essential to protect public health and sanitation.
  
• Lincoln Sanitary District is receiving a Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan & Grant in the amount of $6.4 million to fund essential upgrades to the Lincoln Sanitary District's wastewater treatment facility and Creamery Court pump station, including the replacement of aging equipment such as blowers, bucket elevators, classifiers, valves, variable frequency drive pumps, telemetry systems, and various building components. These improvements are critical to maintaining reliable service and protecting public health. By modernizing infrastructure while keeping user rates affordable, this project strengthens the district's long-term sustainability and supports the well-being of the community it serves.
  
• Town of Poland is receiving a Community Facilities Grant in the amount of $750,000 in to renovate and expand the Ricker Memorial Library in Poland. The investment will be used to build a 2,650 square foot addition, improve accessibility with a new elevator and entry, and modernize community spaces. It also will upgrade interior finishes, lighting, mechanical systems, and structural components. These improvements will create a safer, more accessible library and expand services for rural residents.
  

USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities Programs and Water and Waste Disposal Direct Programs provide financing to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America. These investments strengthen critical community infrastructure, enhance quality of life, and help rural towns attract and retain businesses and services. To learn more about these programs, contact Community Programs Director Darrin Dyer at [email protected] .

For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway . The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making investment data accessible to the public.

Learn more online at www.rd.usda.gov , subscribe to GovDelivery updates , and follow us on X at @USDARD_Maine .

###

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.