Senator Collins Attends Bigelow Laboratory Groundbreaking

Click HERE and HERE for individual photos

East Boothbay, ME – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Susan Collins delivered remarks at the groundbreaking for the Bigelow Laboratory’s Center for Ocean Education and Innovation in East Boothbay.

“Bigelow Laboratory is a world-renowned leader in efforts to study and improve the health of our oceans including the Gulf of Maine, which is vital to preserving the health of the entire global ecosystem. The research done by Bigelow Lab’s skilled oceanographers and other scientists is of enormous benefit to Maine’s seafood and tourism industries and supports our coastal communities.” said Senator Collins. “This new Center for Ocean Education and Innovation will help expand and enhance Bigelow Lab’s research as well as inspire the next generation of ocean scientists.”  

Senator Collins secured $12,396,000 in Fiscal Year 2023 Congressionally Direct Spending for this 25,000-square-foot addition, which will contain classrooms, artificial intelligence collaboration space, laboratories—including Bigelow's first teaching labs—a state-of-the-art cryopreservation space, and a 300-person forum that will be available for community use.

There were nearly 200 people in attendance for the event, including Bigelow Laboratory President and CEO, Dr. Deborah Bronk; chair of the Boothbay Harbor Board of Selectmen, Wendy Wolf; and President and CEO of the Harold Alfond Foundation, Greg Powell.

###