PORTLAND (AP) — The Maine forest products industry is getting a boost from the federal government in the form of funding that will assist the state’s two largest universities.

The University Center Economic Development Program at the University of Maine and University of Southern Maine will get more than $115,000 from the federal Economic Development Administration.

The money will support technical assistance for Maine’s forest products sector. U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King requested the funding in June and announced it on Tuesday.

The senators say the funding reflects the “all-hands on-deck approach” to strengthening Maine’s forest products industry. The industry has struggled with mill closures and the decline of paper.

Rep. Bruce Poliquin and the Maine senators announced a $7.7 million federal investment in Maine’s forest products industry in July.

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