August 28, 1967
Page 24363
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, 2 years ago this week, Congress passed and President Johnson signed into law, an imaginative program designed to combat the ravages of unemployment. Since then, the citizens of every State in the Nation have received assistance under the provisions of the Economic Development Administration Act.
The tools utilized by EDA are many but their purpose is the same, to provide job opportunities to put unemployed Americans back to work. They are as varied as public works grants to assist in opening new industrial plants to Regional Economic Development Commissions, such as the New England Commission, which plan for long-range economic objectives.
Over the past 2 years, EDA has helped bring new economic life to many communities in my State. There have been over 30 EDA projects in Maine. The total EDA investment of $11.4 million has been matched by approximately the same investment of local government and private capital. But of more importance, these funds have created hundreds of new jobs for people who need them, and they continue to create more as time passes.
Maine's projects -- similar to other EDA activity throughout the Nation -- are based on local needs and local initiative. They range from business loans for expanding and modernizing a potato processing plant in Washburn and establishing a new sugar refinery in Easton to a grant for the establishment of a York County Regional Planning Commission. They include a loan to build a new electronics plant in Lisbon Falls, and grants to construct sewer systems in Waldoboro and Thomaston.
EDA funds are financing a study of the extent and quality of copper, nickel, and cobalt reserves in Knox County and a detailed evaluation of the tourism and recreational potential in the Wiscasset area. These well coordinated projects are having a beneficial impact on the Maine economy. Several counties have recovered economically to the point that they are no longer eligible for EDA aid.
Despite the accomplishments of EDA, the problems of poverty areas continue to remain a significant challenge to our society. While the total number of areas which require assistance have been reduced by some 500 in the 2 years EDA has been in existence, the recent urban riots point up the continuing need for intensive economic research.
As we examine the problems of economic growth, we can see that the role played by EDA has been a significant one. Although the challenges that remain are diverse, an excellent foundation has been laid. As time passes, EDA continues to build its knowledge and ability to deal with economic deprivation.
The problems we face are enormous, but EDA has shown the leadership and the imagination to get the job done. I congratulate the entire staff of the Administration on their past achievements and know that their progress will be even more significant in the future.