$3 Million for Maine Maritime Academy Shipbuilding and Marine Operations Program 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 $3,000,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
“Maine Maritime Academy provides students with the skills and training needed to enter the maritime industry. MMA’s skilled graduates can help meet the shipbuilding industry’s growing demand for workers and further strengthen Maine’s leadership in this important sector,” 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 for this project would be a major step forward toward addressing workforce development challenges through education and training in shipbuilding,” said MMA President Jerry Paul. “This project would also help develop the next generation of engineers and skilled labor for shipbuilding in Maine and throughout the shipyard industry.”
This funding would 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 funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY24 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education 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 championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.
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