More Than $10 Million for Maine Workforce Development Programs Secured by Senator Collins

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $10,411,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for workforce development programs throughout Maine 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.

"Business owners throughout Maine have told me that they have jobs available but have difficulty finding qualified and trained workers to fill these vacant positions. Job training creates economic opportunities and retention by aligning employees' skills with employers' needs, preparing individuals for successful careers in high-demand fields," said Senator Collins. "As Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to secure this funding, which will support the needs of workers and businesses across our state."

Funding secured by Senator Collins for workforce development programs throughout Maine in the FY24 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill is as follows:

Mid-Maine CTE Expansion

Recipient: Mid-Maine Technical Center

Project Location: Waterville, ME

Amount Secured: $718,000

Project Purpose: For equipment to support a new engineering/manufacturing program.

Pathways to Prosperity for a Skilled Forest Workforce

Recipient: Maine Development Foundation

Project Location: Livermore Falls/Jay, ME

Amount Secured: $535,000

Project Purpose: To expand workforce training to support the forest products industry.

YCCC Creating a 21st Century Workforce Facility

Recipient: York County Community College (YCCC)

Project Location: Wells and Sanford, ME

Amount Secured: $986,000

Project Purpose: To upgrade laboratory equipment to expand workforce training.

UMaine Rural Education Resilience Project

Recipient: University of Maine

Project Location: Orono, ME

Amount Secured: $3,300,000

Project Purpose: For curriculum and professional development to expand Maine's rural educator workforce.

University of Southern Maine Cybersecurity Awareness, Research, and Education Center

Recipient: University of Maine System

Project Location: Gorham, ME

Amount Secured: $463,000

Project Purpose: To create a cybersecurity operations center classroom.

Husson STEM Education Equipment

Recipient: Husson University

Project Location: Bangor, ME

Amount Secured: $999,000

Project Purpose: To purchase equipment and technology to advance STEM education.

Advanced Shipbuilding and Marine Operations Program

Recipient: Maine Maritime Academy (MMA)

Project Location: Castine, ME

Amount Secured: $3,000,000

Project Purpose: To expand maritime and shipbuilding education and training.

Diesel Hydraulic Program Expansion

Recipient: Northern Maine Community College

Project Location: Presque Isle, ME

Amount Secured: $410,000

Project Purpose: To purchase equipment for a vocational training program.

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 projects 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 championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.

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