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Contact Person: Elaine Tremble

Public Affairs Specialist

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

967 Illinois Avenue, Suite #3

Bangor, ME 04401

Tel: 207-990-9569

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**USDA Agencies Sponsor USDA Service Center Open House**

Bangor, Maine -- June 26, 2007 \-- The USDA Service Center in Bangor
recently held an Open House at their new facility located at 1423
Broadway. This event was sponsored by Rural Development (RD), Farm
Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS),
Heart of Maine Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) and the
Penobscot County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to give the
public an opportunity to view their new facility.

The ceremony began promptly at 10:00 a.m. and included statements from
RD State Director Michael Aube, FSA State Director David Lavway and NRCS
State Conservationist Joyce Swartzenruber.

The ceremony also included statements from special guests Michael
Sanders, NRCS Senior Advisor to the Chief, and Jim Fitzgerald, RD Chief
of Staff.

"The partnership that exists between the agencies represented here today
is critical to our goal of conserving our land for tomorrow's
generation," said Sanders. "I am happy to see that the Heart of Maine
Resource Conservation and Development Office has joined the Service
Center. With their partnership, and the longtime partnership of the
Penobscot County Soil and Water Conservation District, we are meeting
the needs of our clients in a seamless manner."

"Today's Open House is about the unique and dedicated associates in the
greater Bangor area who work together with USDA to build strong
agricultural and rural communities," said Fitzgerald. "At this new
Bangor Service Center the people of Maine will find a dedicated staff
that is committed to the future of rural communities. At RD, we're
especially excited that this Service Center will be a base from which
our representatives will reach out to residents and business people in
the region with programs designed to improve the quality of life,
promote job creation and economic development."

Congressional Representatives read letters on behalf of Congressman
Michael Michaud, Senator Olympia Snowe, and Senator Susan Collins. The
Congressional staff presented an American Flag that had flown over the
U.S. Capitol in honor of the new building. RD Area Director Raymond
Roberts along with FSA County Executive Director Laura Rand and NRCS
District Conservationist Daniel Schmidt received the flag and Ben
Mitchell (RD) raised the flag.

After the ribbon was cut, everyone gathered inside the building for
fellowship and refreshments. Once the crowd got a chance to view the
office, they were able to see that the building was just as distinct on
the inside, as it was outside.

The new building was designed by architect Judy Graebert, an employee of
Ames Architect. The building's unique structure can easily be recognized
from the road. One distinct feature about the building is the rolling
hills scenery. It depicts the USDA logo.

"We gave the building a signature design," said Graebert. "Since it's a
long building, we had to give it a focus point. The public will be able
to identify that it is a USDA facility by looking at the front
entrance," she added. In addition to the outside structure, the building
also has a unique design of drop ceilings inside. "The drop ceilings
spiced up the buildings," said Graebert.

"FSA is extremely pleased with the location of this new office as it
will provide our farmers with a very convenient place to do business,"
said Lavway. "The building itself, with the "Rolling Hills" USDA
architecture is an excellent and professional presentation of the
service we at all three agencies intend to provide to our customers."

Graebert also noted that Tom Ellis' Construction Company worked hard to
make sure that the new building looked its best. They began working on
the building last summer.

Agencies at the USDA Service Center can be reached by calling
207-947-6622.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.