CONCORD, N.H. - After a year's hiatus, the Northern Forest Partnership Program is back and ready to grant $142,000 to community-based projects that promote investment and create or maintain jobs in the Northern Forest by developing social, cultural, economic or environmental well-being.

Nonprofits, businesses and local government entities including schools in Franklin and Oxford counties in Maine are eligible to apply for the grants.

The grant program is administered by the North East State Foresters Association and the Northern Forest Center. Funding is from a USDA Forest Service Economic Action Program grant.

More information and an application form is available at www.northernforest.org/grants-funding.shtml.