WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Susan Collins today congratulated the State of Maine’s North Star Alliance on receiving a $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED). The federal grant was discussed at news conference earlier today at the University of Maine, Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center. Senator Collins was pleased to lend her strong support to the application for the grant, which was announced in February.
The WIRED initiative is designed to help create high-skill, high-wage jobs. Eleven of Maine’s sixteen counties will directly benefit from this three-year, $15-million, grant-- the primary focus being the Brunswick and Midcoast regions that have been particularly hard hit by job losses and the closure of BNAS. This initiative will also facilitate increased collaboration among stakeholders along the coast from Kennebunkport to Calais and inland to Lewiston, Greenville, and Orono.
The following is Senator Collins’ statement released at today’s news conference.
“Maine faces a challenge, the challenge of adapting to a changing economy. Maine workers are among the best in the world, and with appropriate training they can and do produce goods of the highest quality. To continue this tradition, Maine workers must obtain training for the skills needed in emerging technologies, and this grant will assure Maine’s place in the composite technology industry.
We already have a great advantage in composite technology. It is no coincidence that this announcement was made at the Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center—the University of Maine is nationally known for its research and development expertise. The Maine Composites Alliance, Maine Built Boat, and the Maine Marine Trade Association, along with other partners, are prepared to move forward.
I wish you every success as you use this funding to help Maine industry and Maine workers.”