Great running into Mainers from Great Bay Services today in Sanford!
I was proud to secure $264,000 for Great Bay this year to help the organization purchase accessible vehicles, providing more reliable access to transportation for Mainers with disabilities.
Thank you to everyone at Great Bay Services for the important work you do.
For years, residents of Mountainside Community Cooperative in Camden relied on an aging sewer system that was at constant risk of failure. Sewage had to be trucked out several times a day, costing residents more than $100,000 annually.
Today, I visited Mountainside and met with the cooperative's president, Margaret Jones, and vice president, Maggie Adams, to discuss the vital improvements that have been made to the community's water and sewer infrastructure. It was wonderful to hear how these upgrades have improved the quality of life for residents.
In 2024, I secured more than $1.3 million through annual appropriations legislation to help connect Mountainside to Camden's municipal sewer system, replace aging water mains, and install new water meters and leak-detection equipment.
This is one of 83 water and wastewater projects across our state for which I’ve secured more than $164 million since 2021, because every Maine community deserves access to safe, reliable water and sewer infrastructure.
Click the link below for an interactive map of the 672 local projects across all 16 Maine counties for which I have secured nearly $1.5 billion in funding through appropriations legislation over the past five years:
Three years ago, a horrific shooting in Lewiston claimed 18 innocent lives, injured more than a dozen others, and affected countless members of the greater Lewiston-Auburn community.
On this solemn anniversary, we remember those who were taken from us and stand with all those who still carry the scars from that devastating night.
In the years after, the people of our state have done what we always do: Law enforcement officers, first responders, health care workers, local leaders, community volunteers, and neighbors came together to support each other through unimaginable grief.
Since the shooting, I have worked with Lewiston to ensure the community has resources to help them heal and recover, including by strengthening mental health services and supporting the Maine Resiliency Center.
We will continue to remember the victims, support their families and loved ones, and stand with the people of this community.
Lewiston Strong.
Great news for Rockport Harbor! I am happy to announce that the Town of Rockport has been awarded nearly $700,000 in federal funding to strengthen its working waterfront.
This funding will support critical improvements to the harbor's infrastructure, helping protect it from coastal storms and better ensuring its long-term resilience.
As one of the 10 Senators who negotiated the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which nearly doubled funding for the Port Infrastructure Development Program that provided this award, I am pleased to see our law supporting investments in Maine's coastal communities and maritime economy.
I am pleased to have secured additional tariff exemptions products crucial to Maine’s agricultural industries, including blueberry, potato, apple, and seaweed producers.
Many of our farmers and growers rely on specialized equipment, packaging materials, and other products from Canada that are either unavailable from American suppliers or cannot be replaced without incurring significant expense.
In my repeated conversations with Ambassador Greer, Secretary Lutnick, and other senior Administration officials, I have asked for tariff relief for these important products and I will continue working directly with Administration officials to seek additional relief and encourage a broader trade agreement with Canada, our neighbor, ally, and largest trading partner.
A new chapter for manufacturing in Lewiston: Atlas Structural Systems, a J.D. Irving company, has transformed the former Steel Service Center facility into its first U.S. manufacturing facility.
It was great to join leaders from the company and the Lewiston-Auburn community for the grand opening of this new facility and to see how this investment is creating good jobs for Mainers while bringing new life to a vacant industrial property. This is exciting news for Lewiston and Maine’s manufacturing economy.
October marks the 100th anniversary of Rumford Hospital, and what better way to celebrate than with an investment in the hospital’s emergency department.
As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have secured nearly $207 million for projects to support Maine’s hospitals and rural health care through Congressionally Directed Spending, including $6.4 million to renovate, expand, and equip the Rumford Hospital Emergency Department, helping ensure that residents of Rumford and surrounding communities have access to quality emergency care.
It is always wonderful to see young Mainers empowered to pursue their goals. Yesterday in Farmington, I visited the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies (CES), where young people are developing the skills to become successful entrepreneurs and community leaders.
In 2022, I secured $250,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending to support the development of a youth center at CES that will provide new internship and entrepreneurial opportunities for young Mainers.
I am pleased that the Administration has acted upon our request and will release up to 315,000 barrels of heating oil from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve.
This release—a 13 percent supply increase for New England—will put downward pressure on home heating oil costs and make a real difference for Mainers as they prepare for winter.
It was a pleasure to join local officials and first responders in Farmington today to celebrate the grand opening of Franklin County’s new Emergency Operations Center.
I secured more than $2 million in Congressionally Directed Spending in 2024 to help construct this facility, which will improve the efficiency of the area's emergency response services and help keep communities throughout Franklin County safe.
The rising cost of fuel and other inputs has placed significant financial strain on hardworking farmers, fishermen, lobstermen, and their families. After speaking with both the White House and Secretary Rollins, I am pleased to have been assured that Maine fishermen and lobstermen will benefit from the Administration’s new agricultural relief package.
I will continue advocating for Maine’s fishermen, lobstermen, and specialty crop growers, who are integral to our state’s heritage, economy, and way of life, to ensure they receive the support they need to overcome these challenges.
It was great to visit Bucksport today and meet with local leaders to discuss the bright future of the town’s public dock and waterfront. I secured more than $4 million in Congressionally Directed Spending to help transform the seasonal public dock into a year-round community asset, providing greater access to Bucksport’s beautiful waterfront for residents and visitors alike.
A fitting tribute to a remarkable Mainer: Today, I joined the Orrington community to break ground on the new Alan Baker Boat Landing along the Penobscot River.
Alan is a dear friend and distinguished journalist, community leader, and public servant who has dedicated his life to serving the people of Maine. I can think of no better tribute to him than a facility named in his honor that will benefit so many people for generations to come.
The new landing will provide recreational and emergency responder access to the Penobscot River, helping Orrington and surrounding communities better utilize and enjoy this treasured natural resource. I commend the Town of Orrington and the Greenfield Environmental Trust Group for their work on this project and congratulate everyone involved on reaching this important milestone.
It was a pleasure to join members of the Brownville Fire Department and other town residents yesterday at the Brownville Fire Rescue Association's Appreciation Luncheon. This event was a wonderful occasion to honor those who have made important contributions to the local community.
I was truly grateful to be among those recognized for my support of the department and its first responders, who answer more than 500 calls each year, providing lifesaving emergency services to Brownville and surrounding communities.
That is why I was proud to secure more than $2.7 million through Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations legislation to support the Town's planned renovation of its fire station. Since 2021, I have secured nearly $87 million through my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee to renovate, expand, or replace 45 fire stations across Maine, ensuring that more of our first responders have the facilities they need to carry out their lifesaving work safely and effectively.
Click the link below for an interactive map of the 672 local projects across all 16 Maine counties for which I have secured nearly $1.5 billion in funding through appropriations legislation over the past five years:
