The funding now heads to the President to be signed into law

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $10,009,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending to support childcare centers in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) and Agriculture and Rural Development appropriations bills.   The bills, which were included in legislation that passed the Senate today, now head to the President to be signed into law.

“Improving access to quality, affordable childcare helps promote financial stability for families and benefits small businesses and our economy.  Childcare also alleviates stress on working parents when they know that their children are in a safe, structured environment where they can play and learn,” said Senator Collins.  “As Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to secure this funding, which will support families throughout Maine.”

Funding secured by Senator Collins for Maine childcare centers in the FY24 THUD and Agriculture and Rural Development appropriations bills is as follows:

Little Saplings Childcare Center

Recipient: Little Saplings Childcare Center

Project Location: Portage Lake, ME

Amount Requested: $641,000

Project Purpose: To construct a childcare center in Portage Lake.

Rangeley Region Childcare Facility

Recipient: Beth Brunswick Memorial Fund for Children

Project Location: Rangeley, ME

Amount Requested: $750,000

Project Purpose: To construct a new childcare facility for the Rangeley region.

Rumford Y Care and School Age Center

Recipient: YMCA of Auburn-Lewiston

Project Location: Rumford, ME

Amount Requested: $1,000,000

Project Purpose: To construct an early child education and school age center.

Margaret Chase Smith Community School and Early Childhood Center  

Recipient: Maine School Administrative District No.54

Project Location: Skowhegan, ME

Amount Requested: $1,941,000

Project Purpose: To construct an early childhood center.

UMaine Black Bear Academy Child Care Center

Recipient: The University of Maine System

Project Location: Orono, ME

Amount Requested: $4,000,000

Project Purpose: To construct, expand, and equip the Black Bear Academy, expanding the University of Maine’s childcare center to a total of 120 slots.

Center for Community Programs in Livermore Falls and Jay

Recipient: United Way of the Tri-Valley Area

Project Location: Livermore Falls, ME

Amount Requested: $1,677,000

Project Purpose: To make renovations that will allow this facility to continue to host childcare programs and other expanded services.

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.