$1.5M for Penquis Higher Education Center advanced by Collins in funding bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $9,126,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for childcare and young adult education programs throughout Maine in the Fiscal Year 2025 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 25, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
Among the recipients is the town of Dover-Foxcroft which would receive $1.5 million for a rehabilitation project at the Penquis Higher Education on Mayo Street.
The project proposes a partnership between Foxcroft Academy and Eastern Maine Community College to offer vocational and technical training for grades 9-14 (both high school and college level programs). The 25 percent matching requirement to receive $1.5 million in federal funds would be provided by Foxcroft Academy.
The building served as an elementary school during the 20th century and the site underwent a $1.5 million rehabilitation to become the Penquis Higher Education Center around the year 2000. The town turned it over to EMCC to run, with the building also housing the Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative and Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (these organizations would remain in the building).
EMCC no longer wants to own the Penquis Higher Education Center, preferring to be a tenant instead. Foxcroft Academy would ultimately own the facility, but the town would own the building during the funding process.
“Affordable childcare and access to education helps promote financial stability for families while benefiting Maine’s small businesses and local economies,” said Collins. “This funding would support the next generation of Mainers, helping to ensure students have the skills, tools, and support needed to achieve their goals. As the vice 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 2025 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill — an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate. Committee consideration of legislation is a key part of regular order, which helps our government function efficiently and deliver results for the people of Maine and America.
In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024. As vice chair of the Appropriations Committee, Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.