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More Than $4.6 Million for Maine Child Care and Education Programs Advanced by Senator Collins in Funding Bill

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $4,603,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Maine child care and education programs in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.

“Expanding access to affordable child care and education opportunities is a win for Maine’s families, small businesses, and local economies,” said Senator Collins. “By providing students with the skills, tools, and support needed to achieve their educational goals, this funding would help to ensure the next generation of Mainers are well-equipped for success. 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 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.

Funding advanced by Senator Collins is as follows:

Building Workforce Development through Connectivity and Technology 

Recipient: Husson University

Project Location: Bangor, ME

Amount Requested: $1,100,000

Project Purpose: For technology, equipment, and facilities upgrades to expand education opportunities for students in marketing fields.

 

Children’s Literacy Program

Recipient: Team Long Run

Project Location: North Bridgton, ME

Amount Requested: $250,000

Project Purpose: To expand early childhood literacy and physical education programs.

 

Expanding Manufacturing and Engineering Pathways

Recipient: Educate Maine

Project Location: Portland, ME

Amount Requested: $2,000,000

Project Purpose: To purchase manufacturing and engineering equipment for Career and Technical Education schools statewide.

 

Aroostook Child Care Resource Center

Recipient: United Way of Aroostook

Project Location: Presque Isle, ME

Amount Requested: $153,000

Project Purpose: To support the creation of a child care resource center for child care providers in Aroostook County.

 

Advancing Science and Technology for Maine’s STEM Workforce

Recipient: Thomas College

Project Location: Waterville, ME

Amount Requested: $1,100,000

Project Purpose: For curriculum development and to purchase equipment for an advanced biochemistry lab and a new physics lab.

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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