AUGUSTA — The Mills Administration introduced legislation Friday to implement the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, a nearly $1 billion proposal to spur Maine’s economic recovery from the pandemic, invest in long-term economic growth, and build and revitalize essential infrastructure using funds allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Drawing on recommendations from the Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee and Maine’s 10-Year Economic Development Strategy, the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan proposes historic investments in priorities identified by thousands of Maine people, including business, economic, educational, nonprofit, and community leaders, according to a news release. 

“The recommendations of the Economic Recovery Committee and Maine’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy, which were drafted in consultation with thousands of Maine people and experts from all walks of life, are the foundation of the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan,” said Governor Janet Mills. “Thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan, we can now transform these ideas into bold action that will drive our economic recovery from the pandemic, address longstanding challenges to Maine’s growth, and improve the infrastructure on which Maine’s families, businesses and communities rely. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our state, and I encourage the Legislature to take swift action to enact this Plan so we can get to work improving the lives and livelihoods of Maine people and return our state to its path for future prosperity.”

The plan addresses Maine’s immediate and longstanding economic challenges; supports small businesses and Maine’s fishing, farming, and forestry industries; encourages new businesses and job creation through innovation and entrepreneurship; and invests in infrastructure — broadband, transportation, affordable housing, and childcare — to keep and attract young families.

“Maine is fortunate to have a roadmap for the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan in the 10 Year Economic Development Strategy and the recommendations of the Economic Recovery Committee. As a result of that work, this Plan represents a smart, much-needed investment in both our immediate economic recovery and transformative, long-term economic growth,” said Heather Johnson, Commissioner to the Department of Economic and Community Development. “Its enactment is critical to the recovery and growth of Maine’s economy in the years to come, and we look forward to working with the Legislature to enact it as quickly as possible.”

The Plan has received broad support from organizations across Maine for emphasizing the right priorities to support Maine’s families, businesses, and communities now and into the future, the release noted. 

In visits around the state to highlight how the Plan will strengthen Maine’s economy, Governor Mills has heard from business leaders, entrepreneurs, child care providers, innovators, educators and many others about the critical need for investment and the transformational opportunities promised by the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan.

“The Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan aims to heal our state from the unprecedented economic disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kirsten Figueroa, Commissioner for the Department of Administrative & Financial Services. “Federal relief has been a significant resource in navigating the stormy waters of the COVID-19 pandemic, and these American Rescue Plan Act funds are no exception. We will continue to be good stewards, designing effective programs, administering them, and reporting on them with an eye toward compliance and transparency. There is urgency to putting these investments to work for Maine this summer and fall for our state, our businesses, towns, and people.”

The legislation comes after the Mills Administration reviewed guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department and is presented as an emergency measure in order to expedite the infusion of funds as quickly as possible into Maine’s economy while providing stability and certainty for Maine people, businesses, and communities to achieve long-term growth through 2024.

If approved by the Legislature, the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan would infuse $258.5 million into Maine’s immediate economic recovery, addressing short-term needs and giving Maine’s economy a shot in the arm, while invest an additional $294.5 million into long-term economic growth, and allocate approximately $418 million to rebuild Maine’s essential physical, communications and human infrastructure.

The Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan also includes $22 million to cover administration and successful deployment of funds, in addition to $4.6 million previously approved by the Legislature, including transparent online tracking and mandated reporting to the Federal government.

In total, the American Rescue Plan Act invests approximately $4.5 billion in Maine.

Of this $4.5 billion, Congress has directly committed approximately $3.5 billion to various recovery efforts, including significant support for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, enhanced unemployment benefits, stimulus payments to families, and funds for businesses, education, broadband, and behavioral health – as well earmarked funds for broadband expansion efforts within Maine and for counties and towns across the state.

The remaining approximately $997.5 million is allocated to the State of to Maine to respond to the pandemic and support economic recovery. The Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan has been specifically designed to complement, not duplicate, funding already specifically committed by Congress to other recovery efforts.