More Than $3.4 Million for Maine Public Emergency Signal Expansion Secured by Senator Collins in Funding Bill

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $3,421,000 to extend the reach of Maine Public Broadcasting’s Emergency Alert System in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture and Rural Development appropriations bill.  The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.

“Communities throughout rural Maine rely on local radio stations for emergency alerts, news, and other timely updates,” wrote Senator Collins.  “This funding will extend the reach of Maine Public’s Emergency Alert System to more than 71,000 Mainers, helping to improve rural communities’ access to important, lifesaving alerts.  As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to champion this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”

“Core to Maine Public’s mission and one of the critical ways that we serve the state of Maine is being the backbone of the state’s Emergency Alert System,” said Rick Schneider, Maine Public’s President and CEO.  “This funding will enable the expansion of our radio network and the ability to deliver important emergency information to rural and underserved areas.  We are very grateful for Senator Collins’ leadership in helping us serve all Mainers.”

Maine Public Broadcasting Corporation is a steward of Maine’s Emergency Alert System and the sole provider of statewide broadcast coverage.  This funding will support the expansion of the Emergency Alert System to reach more communities throughout Aroostook, Oxford, Piscataquis, Penobscot, and Washington Counties.

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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