More Than $10.4 Million for Maine Workforce Development Programs 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 $10,411,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for workforce development programs throughout Maine 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.
“Business owners throughout Maine have told me that they have jobs available but have difficulty finding qualified and trained workers to fill these vacant positions. Job training creates economic opportunities and retention by aligning employees’ skills with employers’ needs, preparing individuals for successful careers in high-demand fields,” 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 workforce development programs throughout Maine in the FY24 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill is as follows:
Mid-Maine CTE Expansion
Recipient: Mid-Maine Technical Center
Project Location: Waterville, ME
Amount Requested: $718,000
Project Purpose: For equipment to support a new engineering/manufacturing program.
Pathways to Prosperity for a Skilled Forest Workforce
Recipient: Maine Development Foundation
Project Location: Livermore Falls/Jay, ME
Amount Requested: $535,000
Project Purpose: To expand workforce training to support the forest products industry.
YCCC Creating a 21st Century Workforce Facility
Recipient: York County Community College (YCCC)
Project Location: Wells and Sanford, ME
Amount Requested: $986,000
Project Purpose: To upgrade laboratory equipment to expand workforce training.
UMaine Rural Education Resilience Project
Recipient: University of Maine
Project Location: Orono, ME
Amount Requested: $3,300,000
Project Purpose: For curriculum and professional development to expand Maine’s rural educator workforce.
University of Southern Maine Cybersecurity Awareness, Research, and Education Center
Recipient: University of Maine System
Project Location: Gorham, ME
Amount Requested: $463,000
Project Purpose: To create a cybersecurity operations center classroom.
Husson STEM Education Equipment
Recipient: Husson University
Project Location: Bangor, ME
Amount Requested: $999,000
Project Purpose: To purchase equipment and technology to advance STEM education.
Advanced Shipbuilding and Marine Operations Program
Recipient: Maine Maritime Academy (MMA)
Project Location: Castine, ME
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Project Purpose: To expand maritime and shipbuilding education and training.
Diesel Hydraulic Program Expansion
Recipient: Northern Maine Community College
Project Location: Presque Isle, ME
Amount Requested: $410,000
Project Purpose: To purchase equipment for a vocational training program.
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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