The Penobscot County Commissioners voted unanimously Aug. 25 to approve a $326,002.50 grant to the Joe Merry Riders snowmobile club to buy two groomers and associated drags and equipment used to maintain 146 miles of trails entirely within the county's unorganized territory (UT).

Why it matters: Commissioners and the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) committee said the investment will replace aging equipment, improve trail maintenance and safety, and support tourism and interregional trail connections that link Greenville and Millinocket.

What the grant covers and funding details
- Project total: $362,000 (club contribution and other financing were presented); the Joe Merry Riders provided a 10% down payment toward the purchase.
- County TIF grant: $326,002.50 (approved unanimously), to be paid from the committee's available TIF funds.

Conditions and oversight
The TIF committee presented the recommendation and the commission added an amendment before the vote requiring annual financial reporting to the TIF committee for a limited period. Commissioners asked that the club establish a capital/maintenance reserve and report on (a) the status of any sale proceeds from existing equipment and (b) the unit's ongoing reserve balance. The motion as approved requires annual financial reports; commissioners discussed a typical disclosure period of roughly three years for larger grants.

Why the committee approved
TIF committee members said the club had historically self-funded operations and that this was its first request to the district. The committee also noted the groomed trail network is entirely within the UT and that replacement equipment will reduce recurring repair costs, improve reliability, and strengthen the trail network's draw for out-of-area visitors.

Vote and next steps
The motion to approve the funding, with the reporting amendment, passed unanimously. Staff will document reporting requirements in the grant agreement, track the club's reserve plans, and return summary financial reports to the TIF committee as required.

Context and related items
At the same meeting the TIF committee asked the commission to remove a standing budget allocation that funded an economic-development contract with Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC); commissioners agreed to remove that item from the package to be considered separately. The commission said it will host a follow-up meeting with regional partners to evaluate whether scaled or project-based funding would be more appropriate than an annual contract.

Ending note: the commissioners and TIF committee emphasized accountability: the award was approved but will be accompanied by reporting obligations and a recommended reserve strategy for equipment maintenance and future repairs.