Maine’s community colleges received $19.4 million in federal funding for what’s being deemed “critically needed facilities” and equipment in a range of programs.
The funding was part of the federal budget package signed by President Donald Trump, with U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine, being cited as key to getting the funding for the Maine Community College System.
“Investments in equipment, program development, and key facilities benefit generations of students who are tomorrow’s skilled workforce in Maine,” said David Daigler, president of Maine Community College System.
At York County Community College, $6.5 million of the funds allotted will go toward a new student housing project on campus. The overall cost of the project is expected to be $15 million. Both Collins and King were instrumental in winning the funding.
At Eastern Maine Community College, another $6.5 million will be directed toward a new simulation lab and renovations of an existing lab for nursing and health care programs — projects that have gotten Collins’ backing.
Other funding
Southern Maine Community College: $2.2 million will create a new heat pump training lab and renovations of an existing facility to expand the plumbing program.
Kennebec Valley Community College: $1 million will be used for equipment for the short-term workforce training mechanized logging program. In addition, $180,000 is being earmarked for equipment for the college’s electrician training program.
Central Maine Community College: $1 million will be used for equipment for a nursing simulation lab.
Northern Maine Community College: $1.3 million will be used for equipment and program development to train industrial electrical and instrumentation technicians, while $650,000 will go toward the purchase of labor- and delivery-simulation equipment for the college’s nursing and health care programs.
