Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012

Floor Speech

Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Chair, I rise today in opposition of the McClintock amendment to H.R. 2354, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 2012.

This amendment would eliminate regional economic development commissions, and I believe that it comes at exactly the wrong time for thousands of communities throughout the United States.

Regional development commissions have a successful track record of spurring much needed investment into the economic development of distressed communities. They should be preserved and expanded, not eliminated.

One of these commissions directly contributes to the economy in my home State of Maine. The Northern Border Regional Commission, NBRC, is charged with investing in the economic development of the most distressed areas of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and northern New York.

By working directly with each state and existing economic development districts, the NBRC is in a unique position to address our region's shared challenges and obstacles in a coordinated way that cuts across state lines.

Since fiscal year 2010, the NBRC has been funded at $1.5 million. Despite these limited resources, it has already awarded $1.3 million to meaningful projects throughout the region.

For example, last September, the NBRC made its first investments in Maine, including an expansion of the Port of Eastport, which is part of a project that will result in the retention of 18 jobs and the creation of 26 new ones.

The NBRC is now preparing to accept applications for a second round of projects, which will spur additional investment and job creation through our region.

If Congress eliminates funding for the NBRC, it cannot build on the progress that has already been made. The NBRC and other commissions like it would not be able to continue their mission of creating and protecting job opportunities in some of the most economically disadvantaged parts of our country.

Madam Chair, during tough economic times it is unacceptable to shut down these commissions, which share a common mission of partnering with states and local communities to create jobs and further economic development.

I urge my colleagues to reject the McClintock amendment.

Source