Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, secured significant funding and legislative language for Maine in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Act. The bill, which passed the Senate last week and was approved by the House of Representatives today, now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law.

"Strengthening local economies throughout Maine starts with prioritizing and improving our infrastructure and transportation network. This legislation will build on previous investments, providing funding to enhance safety, move people and products more safely and efficiently, and create jobs across the state. It will also maintain existing rental assistance for more than 4.6 million households throughout the United States and invest in programs aimed at tackling homelessness," said Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee. "As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to ensure this funding and legislative language was included in the final funding bill."

Since joining the Appropriations Committee in 2009, Senator Collins has helped to secure more than $1 billion in competitive transportation grants for the State of Maine.

Bill Highlights:

Local Projects: Nearly $135 million for 42 Maine projects through Congressionally Directed Spending to support infrastructure improvements and economic development initiatives across the state. This includes more than $46 million for six MaineDOT projects.

Department of Transportation:

• Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation Funding: $350 million for a competitive rural bridge rehabilitation and replacement program, of which Maine is guaranteed to receive at least $32.5 million and is eligible for up to $55 million.

• BUILD Grants: $145 million for BUILD grants, a program championed by Senator Collins to provide federal assistance for vital transportation projects across the country. Maine has received more than $393 million since the program, previously known as TIGER and RAISE, was established in 2009.

• Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Grants: $137.4 million for discretionary CRISI grants to support projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail.

• State Maritime Academies (SMAs): $138.9 million for SMA Operations, which includes $110 million for the National Security Multi-Mission Vessels program and associated SMA shore-side infrastructure improvements, benefitting Maine Maritime Academy.

• Ports and Shipyards: $103.3 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program to support improvements to ports and $35 million for the Small Shipyard Grant program to support capital improvements and workforce training in shipbuilding, ship repair, and associated industries. Maine shipyards that have benefitted from the Small Shipyards Grant program include: Rockland Marine Corporation; Washburn & Doughty; and Front Street Shipyard.

• Aviation Improvement Program (AIP): $4 billion, which includes $35 million in discretionary supplemental AIP funding, which has benefited airports in Bangor, Presque Isle, Old Town, and Wiscasset in prior years. Of this amount, $20 million is included for a new discretionary rural airport grant program that targets those airports who have typically received a smaller amount of entitlement money based on their annual AIP formula amounts. Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport is eligible to receive funds from this new rural airport program.

• Essential Air Service (EAS): $513.6 million to support all existing EAS communities, including Augusta, Hancock County-Bar Harbor, Presque Isle, and Rockland.

• Advanced Research Projects Agency - Infrastructure (ARPA-I). $7 million, and directs the Federal Highway Administration to support DOT's collaboration with UMaine on infrastructure durability, resiliency, and sustainability research. The UMaine ARPA-I partnership has received $16 million since FY24.

• National Scenic Byways Program. $10 million, which supports Maine's seven National Scenic Byways: the Schoodic National Scenic Byway, the Bold Coast National Scenic Byway, the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway, the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway, the St. John Valley Cultural Byway/Fish River Scenic Byway, and the Acadia All-American Road.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) & Related Agencies:

• Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): $3.3 billion for the CDBG program, which helps state and local governments promote economic development and job creation.

• HOME Investment Partnerships Program: $1.25 billion for the HOME program, which provides critical funding for the development of new affordable housing.

• Youth Homelessness: $107 million for the Youth Homelessness Demonstration program and $25 million for Family Unification Program (FUP) vouchers for youth exiting foster care and at risk of homelessness.

• Aging-in-Place Home Modifications for Seniors: $30 million for home modification grants to enable low-income seniors to "age in place" and remain in their own homes. The bill addresses several barriers to greater participation, including streamlining environmental reviews, adjusting the cost per property cap to account for increased labor and materials costs, and encouraging rather than requiring the use of occupational therapists.

• Housing for the Elderly: $1 billion for the Housing for the Elderly (Section 202) program, of which $122 million is for service coordinators who link residents with community-based supportive services.

• Housing During Substance Abuse Recovery: $30 million for states to provide individuals in recovery with stable, temporary housing. This includes more than $1 million for transitional housing support for addiction recovery programs in Maine.

• Lead Hazard Reduction Grants: $295.6 million to remediate lead-based paint and other health hazards; helping communities protect children from the harmful effects of lead-based paint poisoning in homes.

• NeighborWorks America: $158 million for NeighborWorks. In fiscal year 2024, Maine NeighborWorks affiliates acquired or preserved 326 rental homes, created 432 new homeowners, and helped more than 1,000 homeowners preserve or rehabilitate their homes. These affiliates also provided housing and counseling services to more than 11,730 Mainers.

###

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Tweet