$19.4 M in Federal Funds Invested in Student Housing, Nursing Labs and Equipment, Logging, and Electrical Equipment

February 26, 2026

AUGUSTA, ME — Maine’s community colleges received $19.4 million in federal funding for critically needed facilities and equipment in a range of programs, as part of the federal budget package signed by President Donald Trump.

“These investments championed by U.S. Senator Susan Collins will have lasting and widespread impact for the students at Maine’s community colleges,” said David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System (MCCS). “Investments in equipment, program development, and key facilities benefit generations of students who are tomorrow’s skilled workforce in Maine.”

“We deeply appreciate Senator Collins’ persevering effort and the support of U. S. Senator Angus King to ensure Maine’s community colleges have the resources they need to give students a high-quality, affordable education directly tied to our state’s workforce demands,” Daigler said.

The federal funding will go toward the following projects:

York County Community College:

• $6.5 million towards a new $15 million student housing project on campus. (Collins and King)

Eastern Maine Community College:

• $6.5 million to build a new simulation lab and renovate an existing lab for nursing and health care programs. (Collins)

Southern Maine Community College:

• $2.2 million to create a new heat pump training lab and renovate an existing facility to expand the plumbing program. (Collins)

Kennebec Valley Community College:

• $1 million for equipment for the short-term workforce training mechanized logging program. (Collins)
• $180,000 to purchase equipment for the college’s electrician training program. (Collins)

Central Maine Community College:

• $1 million for equipment for a nursing simulation lab. (Collins)

Northern Maine Community College:

• $1.3 million for equipment and program development to train industrial electrical and instrumentation technicians. (Collins and King)
• $650,000 to purchase labor and delivery simulation equipment for the college’s nursing and health care programs. (Collins and King)