Nearly $4 Million for Maine Maritime Academy Secured by Senator Collins in Funding Bill

Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $3,970,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. The bill, which passed the Senate last week and was approved by the House of Representatives this afternoon, has been signed into law.
“Maine Maritime Academy has a strong record of preparing students for successful careers in the maritime industry,”said Senator Collins.“This funding will support MMA’s efforts to meet the shipbuilding industry’s growing demand for workers and further strengthen Maine’s leadership in this important sector. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to secure this important funding.”
“Maine Maritime Academy is extremely appreciative of Senator Collins’ support of these projects to help ensure our students have access to the tools and resources needed to succeed,”said Craig Johnson, President of MMA.“The expansion of small vessel training will offer comprehensive hands-on education for highly motivated students interested in shipbuilding careers. Funding to purchase equipment for the State of Maine training vessel will support the capabilities required to provide the next generation of mariners with a world-class education through state-of the art technology.”
Funding secured by Senator Collins is as follows:
$1.17 million to support workforce development through small vessel training.
$2.8 million to purchase equipment for a simulation laboratory aboard the State of Maine training vessel.
In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured nearly $1.5 billion for hundreds of Maine projects forFY 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.
###