PORTLAND — The Northern Border Regional Commission says it has approved funding for two economic development projects in northern Maine.

The commission says it is awarding $200,000 to the town of Van Buren toward the construction of a vegetable-processing plant to help expand markets for local farmers. It’s also awarding $50,000 to Northern Maine Finance Corp. in Caribou to establish a public-private partnership aimed at linking entrepreneurs with investors to grow business and jobs in Aroostook and Washington counties.

The commission is charged with spurring economic development and job creation in economically distressed areas of northern Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and New York.