$3 Million for Maine Maritime Academy Shipbuilding and Marine Operations Program Secured by Senator Collins

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the SenateAppropriations Committee, announced that she secured $3 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. Congress has passed the bill, and the President has signed it into law.

"Maine Maritime Academy provides students with the skills and training needed to enter the maritime industry," said Senator Collins. "As Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to secure this funding, which will help ensure MMA continues to lead the way in maritime education and further strengthen Maine's leadership in this important sector."

"Funding for this project will be a major step forward toward addressing workforce development challenges through education and training in shipbuilding," said MMA President Jerry Paul. "This project will also help develop the next generation of engineers and skilled labor for shipbuilding in Maine and throughout the shipyard industry."

This project will support MMA's maritime and shipbuilding education and training by expanding existing collaborative programs, leading to degrees in international business and logistics, power engineering operations, and shipyard management.

This builds off of the $2 million Senator Collins secured for energy efficiency and safety upgrades on MMA's Castine campus in legislation that was signed into law on March 9.

This funding is part of the 231 targeted investments Senator Collins secured through the FY2024 appropriations process, driving more than $577 million to the state for initiatives throughout each of Maine's 16 counties.

In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins secured more than $500 million for hundreds of Maine projects for FY2022 and FY2023. As Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championingtargeted investments that willbenefit Maine communities.

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