Nearly $1.5 Million for Island Institute Advanced by Senator Collins in Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the SenateAppropriations Committee, announced that she advanced$1,477,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for the Island Institute in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approvedby the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
“The lobster industry has significantly impacted Maine’s economy and cultural identity for hundreds of years,” said Senator Collins. “This investment would back the Island Institute’s efforts to strengthen the economic resilience of lobster industries and communities along coastal towns from Damariscotta to Eastport. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
“We are extremely grateful for Senator Collins’ determination and leadership in fighting on behalf of Maine’s lobstering families at a critical time for the industry,” said Kimberly A. Hamilton, President of the Island Institute. “We know first-hand that our coastal and island communities depend on jobs created in the lobster industry. This project aims to build business resilience and entrepreneurship, support income diversification, and help people develop new skills to adapt to changes in the industry. In turn, those communities most dependent on the lobster industry today will build a sustainable economic pathway for their future.”
This funding would support the Island Institute's work to strengthen economic resilience among the most vulnerable lobstering communities along the Maine coast by providing financial education, income diversification training, and business skill development for Maine lobstermen.
This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY24 FSGG appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate. Committee consideration of legislation is a key part of regular order, which helps our government function efficiently and deliver results for the people of Maine and America.
In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $500 million for hundreds of Maine projects for FY2022 and FY2023. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championingtargeted investments that willbenefit Maine communities.
###
