PORTLAND, Maine (AP) The federal government is making $200 million available for logging businesses that have been hurt by the pandemic.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic Rep. Jared Golden were co-authors of the Loggers Relief Act, and they pressed for the funding to be expedited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“This much-needed support for Maine’s family logging and log hauling businesses is now on the way,” Collins said.

Paper mills drastically slashed output or shut down their operations during the pandemic, adding to the pressures on loggers and log haulers.

The offices of Collins and Golden said they are ready to help constituents navigate the application process.