Nearly $28.4 Million for Maine Community and Economic Development Projects 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 $28,398,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for requests to support community and economic development throughout Maine 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 yesterday, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
“This important funding would support the revitalization of infrastructure and community assets across the State of Maine, helping to spur economic development and job creation,” 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.”
This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY24 THUD 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.
Funding secured by Senator Collins for Maine community and economic development projects in the FY 2024 THUD appropriations bill is as follows:
Simard Payne Park Improvements
Recipient: City of Lewiston
Project Location: Lewiston, ME
Amount Requested: $3,900,000
Project Purpose: To revitalize Simard Payne Park to better connect it to the riverfront and community, which aligns with Lewiston’s Riverfront Island Master Plan.
Madawaska Downtown Development
Recipient: Town of Madawaska
Project Location: Madawaska, ME
Amount Requested: $2,012,000
Project Purpose: To renovate and revitalize the former downtown business plaza in Madawaska.
Mars Hill Area Community and Economic Development Initiative
Recipient: Big Rock Mountain
Project Location: Mars Hill, ME
Amount Requested: $1,150,000
Project Purpose: To support economic development in the Mars Hill region through infrastructure improvements at Big Rock Mountain.
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.
Rumford Area Community and Economic Development Initiative
Recipient: Black Mountain of Maine
Project Location: Rumford, ME
Amount Requested: $775,000
Project Purpose: To promote economic development in Rumford through infrastructure improvements at Black Mountain of Maine.
Riverwalk Expansion
Recipient: City of Auburn
Project Location: Auburn, ME
Amount Requested: $3,900,000
Project Purpose: To extend the existing Auburn Riverwalk and link it to other local trails.
Skowhegan Community Center Complex
Recipient: Town of Skowhegan
Project Location: Skowhegan, ME
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Project Purpose: To construct a multi-use facility for economic and community development.
Snow Pond Center Infrastructure Upgrade
Recipient: Snow Pond Center for the Arts
Project Location: Sidney, ME
Amount Requested: $448,000
Project Purpose: To renovate the Snow Pond Center for the Arts.
Lincoln Technology Park
Recipient: Town of Lincoln
Project Location: Lincoln, ME
Amount Requested: $3,500,000
Project Purpose: To make infrastructure improvements to Lincoln Technology Park.
Old Town Energy and Enterprise Park
Recipient: City of Old Town
Project Location: Old Town, ME
Amount Requested: $3,891,000
Project Purpose: To support construction of the Black Bear Parkway, including roads, water, sewer, electricity, and high-speed fiber, into city-owned land to develop an industrial park.
Maine Trail Center
Recipient: Maine Appalachian Trail Club
Project Location: Skowhegan, ME
Amount Requested: $475,000
Project Purpose: To construct a facility to support maintenance of Maine’s 267-mile portion of the Appalachian Trail.
Portland Museum of Art Cultural Center
Recipient: Portland Museum of Art
Project Location: Portland, ME
Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Project Purpose: To construct a community cultural center.
Conservatory and Discovery Center
Recipient: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Project Location: Boothbay, ME
Amount Requested: $1,559,000
Project Purpose: To support the expansion of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens' Conservatory and Discovery Center.
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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