Millions for Brownville, Monson fire stations advanced by Collins in funding bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $29,875,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Maine fire stations and public safety facilities in the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 24, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.

Funding advanced by Collins for Maine fire stations and public safety facilities includes $2,770,000 for fire station renovations in Brownville and $3 million to construct a new fire station in Monson.

“There is an enormous need to update fire stations throughout the State of Maine to ensure both the safety of our brave first responders and communities,” said Collins.  “This funding would help to improve public safety efforts and emergency response services throughout Maine.  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 THUD Appropriations bill — an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.    

Earlier this month, Collins advanced more than $12 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for Maine fire stations and emergency services in the FY 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration Appropriations bill.

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 the chair of the Appropriations Committee, Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.