$1.6 Million for Maine Libraries Advanced by Senator Collins in Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $1,600,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for two Maine libraries in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
“Public libraries are central community institutions and pillars of education throughout Maine. Increasingly, libraries have emerged as hubs, not just for literacy and Internet access, but for workforce support and community activities,” said Senator Collins. “As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
Funding advanced by Senator Collins for Maine libraries in the FY24 THUD appropriations bill is as follows:
Jesup Memorial Library
Recipient: Jesup Memorial Library
Project Location: Bar Harbor, ME
Amount Requested: $600,000
Project Purpose: To expand the Jesup Library and showcase cross-laminated timber.
Case Memorial Library
Recipient: Case Memorial Library
Project Location: Kenduskeag, ME
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Project Purpose: To construct a new library to allow for more storage and community space.
This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY24 THUD appropriations bill and builds on the more than $4.5 million already advanced by Senator Collins for Maine public libraries in the FY24 Agriculture and Rural Development appropriations bill.
The Committee’s markup of the FY24 THUD appropriations bill is 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 championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.
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