Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $12,265,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for fire stations and emergency services throughout Maine in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration Appropriations bill. The legislation, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
“Every day, first responders selflessly put their lives on the line to serve communities throughout Maine,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would help to ensure that Maine’s fire fighters and emergency response professionals have the adequate facilities needed to do their jobs as effectively and safely as possible. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.
Funding advanced by Senator Collins for Maine fire stations and emergency services in the FY 2026 Agriculture Appropriations bill is as follows:
Belgrade Fire and Rescue Station
Recipient: Town of Belgrade
Project Location: Belgrade, ME
Amount Requested: $4,700,000
Project Purpose: To construct a fire and rescue station.
Marshfield Fire Station
Recipient: Marshfield Volunteer Fire Department
Project Location: Marshfield, ME
Amount Requested: $756,000
Project Purpose: To construct a fire station.
St. Agatha Fire Station
Recipient: Town of St. Agatha
Project Location: St. Agatha, ME
Amount Requested: $345,000
Project Purpose: To expand the fire station.
St. Albans Fire Station
Recipient: Town of St. Albans
Project Location: St. Albans, ME
Amount Requested: $1,520,000
Project Purpose: To construct a fire station.
Swan’s Island Fire and Ambulance Station
Recipient: Town of Swan’s Island
Project Location: Swan’s Island, ME
Amount Requested: $1,444,000
Project Purpose: To expand the fire and ambulance station.
Thomaston Fire and EMS Facility
Recipient: Town of Thomaston
Project Location: Thomaston, ME
Amount Requested: $3,500,000
Project Purpose: To construct a fire and EMS facility.
In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.
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