More Than $7.5 Million for Katahdin Region Secured by Senator Collins

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced today that she secured $7,522,000 for infrastructure and economic development in the Katahdin Region in the Fiscal Year 2022 Housing Appropriations bill.  As the Ranking Member and lead Republican on the Housing Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Collins co-authored this bill. 

The omnibus funding package passed the House and the Senate and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“This funding for an array of significant infrastructure improvements, increased access to child care, and workforce training will provide crucial support to residents and help attract new, innovative companies that will create jobs in the Katahdin region,” said Senator Collins.  “I strongly advocated for this investment that will strengthen the community and lay the foundation for future economic growth.”

“Expanding on-site child care at the Katahdin Higher Education Center will be transformative,” said David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System.  “Child care resources are particularly scarce in this part of Maine, preventing many people from pursuing an education or job training.  This will open doors to a better future for many students and trainees in the region.”

“Eastern Maine Community College is delighted with the news that we are receiving funding to expand quality childcare and early childhood services in the Katahdin Region,” said Liz Russell, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Eastern Maine Community College.  “Thanks to Senator Collins and Senator King, our plan to renovate the Katahdin Higher Education Center will increase childcare capacity and provide new opportunities for the education and training of prospective childcare workers.  This initiative is vital to the citizens of the Katahdin Region and to the community’s economic development.”

Details on the funding for the three Katahdin area projects that Senator Collins secured are below:

Katahdin Region Economic, Community & Family Development

Recipient: Eastern Maine Community College

Location: East Millinocket, ME

Amount: $4,000,000

Purpose: To expand and renovate the Katahdin Higher Education Center to increase access to childcare and additional job training resources for families in the region.

East Millinocket Industrial Complex Redevelopment

Recipient: Town of East Millinocket

Location: East Millinocket, ME

Amount: $2,851,000

Purpose: To repair and renovate a former paper mill site to accommodate transportation, shipping, and receiving via train and truck traffic. 

Millinocket – Remediation & Reuse Study of a Former Wastewater Treatment Plant

Recipient: Our Katahdin

Location: Millinocket, ME

Amount: $671,000

Purpose: To fund a study of the options for remediation and reuse of the wastewater treatment plant of the former Great Northern Paper Company.

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