Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $300,000 to Boost Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Industries in Western Maine

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the University of Maine has received $286,800 to deliver workforce training for the growing outdoor recreation and tourism industries in western Maine.  This funding was awarded through a partnership between the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“Our state’s natural resources are one of its biggest assets, and it’s critical that we work to safeguard them for the enjoyment of generations to come,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.  “We welcome this investment at the University of Maine, which will preserve and protect western Maine’s rich history and beautiful landscapes by expanding workforce and professional development opportunities for Mainers.”

The NBRC is a federal-state partnership that was created by Congress in 2008 to help alleviate economic distress and encourage private sector job creation throughout the northern counties of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. 

As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins worked to secure $25 million for the NBRC in the fiscal year 2020 appropriations package.  In 2018, Senators Collins and King co-authored legislation reauthorizing this program.  

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