Congress Approves Nearly $9.7 Million for Maine Historic Restoration Projects Secured by Senator Collins
The funding now heads to the President to be signed into law
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $9,699,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for six historic restoration projects in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill. The bill, which was included in legislation that passed the Senate today, now heads to the President to be signed into law.
“Historic institutions are part of the fabric of Maine communities and enrich the lives of residents,” said Senator Collins. “This funding will support the restoration and maintenance of six historic institutions, helping to revitalize communities and promote economic development. As Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to secure this funding, which will help connect Mainers with their heritage for generations to come.”
Funding secured by Senator Collins for Maine historic restoration projects in the FY24 THUD appropriations bill is as follows:
Bangor Opera House Improvements
Recipient: Penobscot Theatre Company
Project Location: Bangor, ME
Amount Requested: $239,000
Project Purpose: To support safety and facility improvements at the 102-year-old Bangor Opera House.
Historic Downtown Building Rehabilitation
Recipient: Ellsworth Historical Society
Project Location: Ellsworth, ME
Amount Requested: $500,000
Project Purpose: To rehabilitate a 19th-century historic building for economic and educational development.
Bell Tower Rehabilitation
Recipient: Christ Episcopal Church
Project Location: Gardiner, ME
Amount Requested: $890,000
Project Purpose: To rehabilitate a historically significant bell tower, which houses an original Paul Revere foundry bell.
Mechanics' Hall Revitalization
Recipient: Maine Charitable Mechanic Association
Project Location: Portland, ME
Amount Requested: $2,860,000
Project Purpose: To modernize and improve the accessibility of Mechanics’ Hall.
Washburn Norlands Restoration
Recipient: Washburn Norlands Foundation
Project Location: Livermore, ME
Amount Requested: $3,422,000
Project Purpose: To restore two 19th-century historic properties for educational and community uses.
Norway Downtown Economic Development and Revitalization
Recipient: Norway Downtown Revitalization
Project Location: Norway, ME
Amount Requested: $1,788,000
Project Purpose: To renovate a 19th-century historic building to support economic development.
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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