DES MOINES, Iowa — The U.S. Agriculture Department announced Monday it will close nearly 260 offices nationwide, a move that won praise for cutting costs but raised concerns about the possible effect on food safety.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the goal was to save $150 million a year in the agency’s $145 billion budget. About $90 million had already been saved by reducing travel and supplies, and the closures were expected to save another $60 million, he said.
The plan calls for 259 offices, labs and other facilities to be closed, affecting the USDA headquarters in Washington and operations in 46 states.
Fact sheets on the USDA’s website list two Maine offices targeted to be closed: a Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Presque Isle and a Farm Service Agency office in Warren that serves Knox and Lincoln counties.
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