Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $8,403,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Maine after-school, child care, and educational programs in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bills. The bills, which passed the Senate last week and were approved by the House of Representatives earlier this week, have been signed into law.

"Expanding access to affordable after-school, child care, and educational programs is a win for Maine's families, small businesses, and local economies," said Senator Collins. "This funding will support the next generation of Mainers, helping to ensure students and their families have the support, skills, and tools needed to achieve their goals. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to secure this important funding."

Funding secured by Senator Collins is as follows:

Boys & Girls Club Expansion

Recipient: Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maine

Project Location: Portland, ME

Amount Requested: $3,000,000

Project Purpose: To support construction of the Bridge to Success Center.

Rumford Child Care and Community Center

Recipient: Town of Rumford

Project Location: Rumford, ME

Amount Requested: $3,000,000

Project Purpose: To support the construction of a child care and community center.

Aroostook Child Care Resource Center

Recipient: United Way of Aroostook

Project Location: Presque Isle, ME

Amount Requested: $153,000

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

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.

In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured nearly $1.5 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, FY 2024, and FY 2026. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.

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