Seafood Industry to Receive $10 M Starting Early Next Year Says Governor Mills

Posted on by
Share

Governor Janet T. Mills (M) at the Press Conference on Wednesday in Front of Luke’s Lobster, on the Portland Waterfront. Starting on the Left of Photo are:  Luke Holden and Briana Warner.  On the Right Side of Governor Mills are:  Annie Tselikis and Patrick Keliher, the Commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources who will Administer the Funds.

The Outdoor Back Deck Dining Area at Luke’s Lobster on Casco Bay, Portland.

Governor Mills Addresses Reporters and a Blogger  at the Press Conference on Wednesday at Luke’s Lobster on the Portland Waterfront.

Maine’s seafood industry will be the recipient of $10 million in federal funds starting early next year Governor Janet T. Mills, the first woman Governor of Maine, announced on Wednesday in front of Luke’s Lobster on the Portland waterfront.

These funds will allow Maine seafood dealers and processors to upgrade their infrastructure.  The new Seafood Infrastcuture Investment Program will be administered through the Maine Department of Marine Resources.  It will provide grants to Maine seafood dealers and processors to upgrade buidings, equipment and utilities.  These grants will help seafood dealers and processors increase the supply of Maine-harvested seafood; strengthen their ability to deliver to markets in Maine, across the US and around the world and create and sustain jobs throughout Maine’s iconic seafood industry.

“The pademic forced our business to pivot from production and sales tailored for the food service industry to production and sales for grocery and ecommerce channels,” said Luke Holder, Founder and Chief Execudtive Officer of Luke’s Lobster.  “While we created new demand and opportunity for the Maine lobster and seafood industry, there were many costs associated with oepning up these new channels and shifting production ins uch a dramatic way.  Getting support from the State is necessary and appreciated so that we can continue to focus on ensuring a strong market for Maine’s fishermen and lobstermen both here in Maine and nationwide.”

These funds are available through the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan.