More Than $4.6 Million for Maine Fire Stations and Facilities 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 $4,643,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for five Maine fire stations and facilities in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
“It is critical that the brave men and women of Maine’s fire departments have updated facilities and equipment to safely serve our communities,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would finance the improvement of infrastructure and equipment for five fire department facilities throughout Maine. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
Funding secured by Senator Collins for Maine fire stations and emergency services in the FY 2024 THUD appropriations bill is as follows:
Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department Upgrade
Recipient: City of Caribou
Project Location: Caribou, ME
Amount Requested: $1,359,000
Project Purpose: To rehabilitate the Caribou Fire Department's living quarters for first responders and improve ADA-accessibility.
Paris Fire Station Generator Replacement
Recipient: Town of Paris
Project Location: Paris, ME
Amount Requested: $134,000
Project Purpose: To replace the Paris Fire Station generator.
Maine Fire Service Institute
Recipient: Southern Maine Community College
Project Location: South Portland, ME
Amount Requested: $500,000
Project Purpose: To construct an equipment and training storage facility for use by the Maine Fire Service Institute.
Sweden Fire Station
Recipient: Town of Sweden
Project Location: Sweden, ME
Amount Requested: $1,150,000
Project Purpose: To build a new, modern fire station, replacing the existing outdated facility.
Westbrook Regional Vocational Center
Recipient: Westbrook School Department
Project Location: Westbrook, ME
Amount Requested: $1,500,000
Project Purpose: To construct a vocational fire training facility.
This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY24 THUD appropriations bill and builds upon the $13.85 million advanced by Senator Collins for new fire stations and emergency services facilities throughout Maine through the FY 2024 Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations bill.
The Committee’s markup of the FY24 THUD appropriations bill is 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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