"This federal funding is crucial to projects across Maine, that will help enhance business, education, and recreation in our cities, towns, and tribal reservations," said the Senators in a joint statement. "We are pleased that Senate appropriators are matching our own commitment to Maine, to create communities where everyone may live and work safely, cooperatively, and successfully."
Projects that were included in the appropriations bill at the request of Senators Snowe and Collins are as follows:
Ø $500,000 for improvements and repairs at the Caribou Maine Army National Guard Armory and Caribou Recreation Department. The Maine Army National Guard is transferring the Armory to the City of Caribou to for use by recreation and wellness programs.
Ø $125,000 for rehabilitation of the Fort Fairfield Maine Army National Guard Armory. The town plans to use the facility for offices for the Aroostook Emergency Management Agency, for education services, and to house the recreation department.
Ø $125,000 for renovations at The Center Theatre for the Performing Arts in Dover-Foxcroft. Upon completion, the theatre will be the only performing arts center in Piscataquis County.
Ø $200,000 to create the Western Maine University and Technical College Center in Oxford Hills, the first ever foundation in Western Maine for the training and education of a skilled workforce.
Ø $250,000 for the construction of adequate wastewater facilities at Peter Dana Point in Indian Township.
Ø $250,000 to help stabilize 4,000 feet of riverfront shoreline in Brewer, as part of the city's waterfront development plan.
Ø $250,000 to develop Penobscot Riverfront Park in Bangor. The 36 acre public park would allow year-round recreational use and outdoor performance venues.
Ø $120,000 to repair the granite steps of the Sagadahoc County Courthouse in Bath. This would allow the Court to re-open the High Street entrance for the first time in several years.
Ø $210,000 to construct a "business block" sidewalk for the Town of Thomaston.
Ø $500,000 for the development and application of green chemistry solutions by the University of Maine for Natural Resource Processing. Green chemistry is a science-based approach to pollution prevention that involves reducing or eliminating the use or generation of hazardous substances in the design, manufacture, or applications of chemical products.
Ø $220,000 for the construction of a new Blueberry Hill Farm facility in Jonesboro, allowing the farm to continue its critical field research on wild blueberries.
Ø $500,000 for the City of Gardner to design and construct federally mandated combined sewer overflow abatement facilities.
Ø $250,000 for upgrades to the wastewater collection system and treatment facility in Machias.
The appropriations bill will now go to the full Senate for consideration.