A boost from U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree has helped Maine organization CEI to receive a $600,000 federal grant that will allow Junora, a manufacturing company in Biddeford, to create 30 new jobs in the city.

The funding was awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Community Economic Development Program, which Pingree fought to restore funding for on the House Appropriations Committee.

“This funding will help create good-paying manufacturing jobs in York County while maintaining the positive momentum of Biddeford’s redevelopment. I’m grateful to CEI and Junora for bringing this federal investment to Maine and for the many working families who will benefit from it,” said Pingree.

The new grant will directly help CEI’s New Maine Manufacturing Project, an initiative that would finance and assist a burgeoning manufacturing company, Junora LTD of Biddeford to create and sustain 30 new positions, of which 23 would be required to be filled by low-income workers.

These high-tech manufacturing positions would come with competitive wages, a full benefits package, and tuition reimbursement to support professional advancement.“These are more than just jobs—they are the beginning of careers in a field of high demand,” Pingree said. “The difference this funding will make for low-income families is why I have so strongly fought for this program in Washington.”

In 2017, Pingree successfully worked on the House Appropriations Committee to restore funding for the Community Economic Development Program, which had been eliminated by a subcommittee. During omnibus spending negotiations in Washington, she spearheaded an effort that eventually spared the program  from deep cuts.

To help secure the funding for CEI, Pingree also wrote a letter of support for the organization’s grant application.

This article originally appeared in the Journal Tribune.