The certification will not only help spur investments in the Maine economy totaling more than $30m but will help to create and retain more than 200 Maine jobs in the Somerset County area.
FAME chief executive officer Bruce Wagner said: "FAME is pleased to assist Athens Energy, LLC, with certification of Maine New Markets tax credit investor applications as the company moves forward with its plans to attract low-cost capital and enhance their operations.
"Our hope is for a stronger Maine economy through the creation and retention of Maine jobs."
Modeled after the federal new markets tax credit program, the Maine new markets capital investment program offers investors with refundable state tax credits of up to 39% in qualified community development entities (CDEs) that reinvest in certain businesses in eligible low-income communities in Maine.
FAME manages the program in cooperation with Maine Revenue Services and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.
CCG Community Partners managing director Paul Hoffman said: "The expected tax credits will not only help create jobs directly at these sites, they should also encourage other business development in the surrounding communities."
The state tax credits of $12.1m, in the form of loans, will be used by Athens Energy for construction and equipping of a biomass electricity generator and the payment of transaction costs.
