Northern Border Regional Commission

Northern Border Regional Commission
Northern Border Regional Commission · Public domain · source
Name	Northern Border Regional Commission
Formation	2008
Type	Federal-state partnership
Headquarters	Bangor, Maine
Leader title	Federal Co-Chair

Northern Border Regional Commission

The Northern Border Regional Commission is a federal-state partnership modeled on regional development authorities like Appalachian Regional Commission, Delta Regional Authority, Denali Commission, U.S. Economic Development Administration and works with state counterparts such as Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development and New York State Empire Development. It supports rural infrastructure and workforce initiatives similar to projects funded by Community Development Block Grant programs, Economic Development Administration grants, United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development loans and partnerships with Southern Governors' Association networks through coordinated planning with regional entities like Northern Forest Center and Northeast Rural Health Network.

Overview

The commission functions as a congressionally authorized partnership drawing governance practices from Appalachian Regional Commission statutes and coordinating with federal agencies such as the Department of Commerce and agencies like the Department of Transportation and Health Resources and Services Administration. It provides matching grants and technical assistance that complement Community Development Block Grant investments, Economic Development Administration planning, and USDA Rural Utilities Service projects, while aligning with state plans from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York for infrastructure, broadband, and job training linked to institutions such as University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Vermont Small Business Development Center and workforce boards like Maine Workforce Development Board.

History and Establishment

Authorized by Congress during debates alongside reauthorization measures for regional authorities and influenced by advocacy from representatives including members of the Congressional Delegation from Maine and the New York Congressional Delegation, the commission draws pedigree from federal initiatives such as the Appalachian Regional Development Act and policy reports from organizations like the Northern Borders Commission Task Force and Rural Policy Research Institute. Legislative milestones include enactment processes in the United States Congress and appropriations actions by the House Appropriations Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee, with implementation tied to executive nominations subject to confirmation by the United States Senate.

Organizational Structure and Governance

Governance mirrors the dual-state-federal framework used by entities like the Appalachian Regional Commission and includes a Federal Co-Chair appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate alongside state co-chairs designated by governors of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. The commission operates through grant review panels, interagency coordination with Economic Development Administration staff, and programmatic collaboration with state agencies such as Maine Department of Transportation, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, and regional development corporations like BlocPower and ReCast. Administrative practices are informed by oversight from the Government Accountability Office and auditing standards from the Office of Management and Budget.

Funding Programs and Initiatives

Funding mechanisms include discretionary appropriations authorized by congressional acts and matching requirements patterned after Appalachian Regional Commission grants, with eligible investments in broadband infrastructure alongside Connect America Fund style initiatives, transportation projects comparable to Federal Highway Administration grants, workforce training linked to Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs, and community facilities akin to Rural Development Utilities Programs. Priority initiatives have included broadband expansion with partners like NTIA BroadbandUSA, renewable energy projects similar to Department of Energy pilot programs, and downtown revitalization in coordination with Main Street America affiliates and local development corporations such as Pine Tree Development Zones and Empire State Development subsidiaries.

Geographic Scope and Eligible Areas

The commission’s service area encompasses counties and territories in northern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York State—including counties along the Canada–United States border adjacent to provinces like Quebec and regions such as the St. Lawrence River Valley and the Aroostook County area. Eligibility criteria follow patterns used by regional commissions, focusing on distressed and underserved communities identified through metrics used by the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment data, and poverty maps like those maintained by the Office of Management and Budget.

Impact, Projects, and Outcomes

Projects funded include broadband buildouts reaching communities referenced in case studies by Northern Forest Center and ConnectMaine, workforce training partnerships with institutions like Community College System of New Hampshire, water and sewer upgrades comparable to EPA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund projects, and renewable energy demonstrations similar to DOE Weatherization Assistance Program efforts. Outcomes measured mirror indicators tracked by Economic Development Administration evaluations and USDA rural studies: job creation in manufacturing hubs such as Plattsburgh, New York, improved internet access in towns like Madawaska, Maine, and enhanced transportation links near crossings such as Fort Covington–Massena Bridge.

Criticism and Challenges

Critiques echo concerns raised in analyses of other regional authorities like the Delta Regional Authority and include debates over appropriation levels handled by the House Appropriations Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee, balance of state versus federal control discussed in hearings before the Senate Committee on Appropriations, and challenges coordinating with agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission and Environmental Protection Agency on interjurisdictional projects. Observers from advocacy organizations including Economic Policy Institute and regional think tanks like Carsey School of Public Policy note scalability, measurement of long-term economic impact, and competition for scarce federal funds with programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and United States Department of Agriculture.

Category:United States regional commissions