$5 Million for Bangor Region YMCA 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 $5 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for the Bangor Region YMCA’s Comprehensive Health Center 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.
“The Bangor YMCA has long provided invaluable support and services to both local and surrounding communities,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would allow Bangor YMCA to reach additional families throughout Eastern Maine, providing important health and wellness care to those who need it most. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
"A new Comprehensive Health Center would literally transform the lives and wellbeing of Mainers, from babies to older adults. It requires an enormous financial and emotional investment and Senator Collins has been the foundation of this support from the very beginning,” said Bangor YMCA CEO Diane Dickerson. “Our Y is now in its 156th year and we desperately need to build a new Y and health center in order to better serve the people of our communities now and for generations to come. Senator Collins understands this completely and has been at our side every step of the way. She is one of a kind and our entire region is grateful to her."
Founded in 1867, the Bangor YMCA serves more than 152,000 people throughout Eastern Maine. To better serve these communities, Bangor YMCA has partnered with local stakeholders to develop a plan for a new YMCA in downtown Bangor that includes a Comprehensive Health Center. This funding would support the establishment of a 30,000 square-foot Comprehensive Health Center, equipped with programs ranging from infant, early education, and after-school care to food pantry and public health programs to address issues such as loneliness and isolation.
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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