Pine State News

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $9,574,000 for the Maine National Guard in the Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.  The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 22, 2023, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.

“The brave men and women of the Maine National Guard are always ready to assist our state and keep residents safe when disaster strikes, playing a critical role in our national security,” said Senator Collins.  “This important funding for these three projects will enhance the Maine Guard’s readiness while ensuring modern and safe working environments and reduced maintenance costs.  As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to champion this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”

“The National Guard is more relevant today than it has ever been.  We are an operational reserve force, regularly supporting the active Army and Air Force in multiple theaters around the world,” said Maj. Gen. Douglas Farnham, Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard.  “These proposed projects will significantly enhance our efforts to maintain a constant state of readiness, as we strive daily to live up to our National Guard motto – Always Ready, Always There.”

Funding for the Maine National Guard is as follows:

• Saco, ME: $7,420,000 to construct a Joint National Guard Vehicle Maintenance Shop that will support maintenance of combat and tactical vehicles and equipment for the Maine Army National Guard.

• Bangor, ME: $1,450,000 to support planning and design for the reconstruction of the Maine Air National Guard (MEANG) light duty ramp, which supports KC-135 parking, fuel cell maintenance, and base requirements.
• Bangor, ME: $704,000 to support planning and design for the restoration and expansion of the MEANG Whiskey Ramp used to park KC-135 tankers.

In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending.  Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $500 million for hundreds of Maine projects for FY2022 and FY2023.  As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.

Original source can be found here.