Nearly $9.7 Million for Maine Historic Restoration 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 $9,699,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for six historic restoration projects 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.
“Historic institutions are part of the fabric of Maine communities and enrich the lives of residents,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would support restoration and maintenance of six historic institutions, helping to revitalize communities and promote economic development. 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 Maine historic restoration projects in the FY24 THUD appropriations bill is as follows:
Bangor Opera House Improvements
Recipient: Penobscot Theatre Company
Project Location: Bangor, ME
Amount Requested: $239,000
Project Purpose: To support safety and facility improvements at the 102-year-old Bangor Opera House.
Historic Downtown Building Rehabilitation
Recipient: Ellsworth Historical Society
Project Location: Ellsworth, ME
Amount Requested: $500,000
Project Purpose: To rehabilitate a 19th-century historic building for economic and educational development.
Bell Tower Rehabilitation
Recipient: Christ Episcopal Church
Project Location: Gardiner, ME
Amount Requested: $890,000
Project Purpose: To rehabilitate a historically significant bell tower, which houses an original Paul Revere foundry bell.
Mechanics' Hall Revitalization
Recipient: Maine Charitable Mechanic Association
Project Location: Portland, ME
Amount Requested: $2,860,000
Project Purpose: To modernize and improve the accessibility of Mechanics’ Hall.
Washburn Norlands Restoration
Recipient: Washburn Norlands Foundation
Project Location: Livermore, ME
Amount Requested: $3,422,000
Project Purpose: To restore two 19th-century historic properties for educational and community uses.
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.
This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY24 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development 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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