SENATOR COLLINS TO BRING U.S. ARMY OFFICIALS TO MAINE MILITARY AUTHORITY IN LIMESTONE

At the invitation of U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Appropriations Committees, several top Army procurement officials from Washington, D.C. will visit and tour Maine Military Authority’s facilities in Limestone on Friday, April 16th.  Among those scheduled to join Senator Collins on the visit are Major General Raymond Carpenter, Director of the Army National Guard, and Kathryn Condon, Special Assistant to Dr. Joseph Westphal, Undersecretary of the Army.

 

Senator Collins received assurances from Dr. Westphal to send representatives to Aroostook County to explore options for new work at Maine Military Authority.

 

Senator Collins first raised this issue with Dr. Westphal, who is the former Chancellor of the University of Maine System, prior to his confirmation hearing last year.  She also secured a commitment from Army Secretary John McHugh to assign Dr. Westphal to work with her and with state and local officials on a plan to secure adequate work for the facility.

 

“The Maine Military Authority has performed cost-effective work in refurbishing Humvees and other vehicles. It consistently performs this work at a lower cost than the Army's own depots, thus saving money for both the Army and for taxpayers,” said Senator Collins.  “I am grateful that both Army Secretary McHugh and Undersecretary Westphal have committed to taking a careful look at sustaining work at MMA.  I am confident that this visit will give Army officials a first-hand look at the exemplary work being performed here, and I am hopeful that this will help ensure the viability of this important industrial facility.”

 

For 13 years, MMA has provided a well-respected and dependable service to its customers, and it has similarly provided stable employment in northern Maine. MMA currently employs 370 workers.  Last year, Senator Collins worked with Senator Olympia Snowe to successfully secure $20 million in a defense spending bill to fund continued maintenance that saved 175 jobs in Aroostook County.