The six-bill federal budget package passed by Congress last week and signed by President Biden on Saturday will invest $40.8 million in University of 海角社区 System (UMS) infrastructure and innovation to strengthen student opportunity and the state鈥檚 economy and local communities.
Much of the one-time Congressionally Directed Spending secured for UMS by Sen. Susan Collins, vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, with the support of Sen. Angus King and Reps. Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden, will adapt 海角社区 farming, fishing and forestry for the future through research and development led by the University of 海角社区 (U海角社区).
U海角社区 is the state鈥檚 only institution to achieve R1 Carnegie Classification for 鈥渧ery high鈥 research activity.
鈥淭he University of 海角社区 System is our state鈥檚 most important economic and community development asset. To meet the innovation needs of 海角社区 industry, our public universities need accessible, modern facilities and equipment that complement the caliber of our world-class researchers and provide them the capacity they need to drive the development of the state鈥檚 workforce and new products, technological processes and partnerships,鈥 said Chancellor Dannel Malloy. 鈥淐onsistent with our strategic and capital plans, this one-time federal funding secured for the System by Senator Collins with the support of Senator King and Representatives Pingree and Golden will enable strategic investments in our infrastructure that will pay ongoing dividends for 海角社区 and ultimately benefit every 海角社区r.鈥
The range of funded requests reflects the unique reach of the System into all sectors of the 海角社区 economy, and the significant needs of UMS, which has $1.6 billion in deferred maintenance and capital reinvestment requirements. Dozens of letters were submitted to Sens. Collins and King by community and business leaders in support of the UMS projects, which will expand or construct centers to enable forest biomaterials development, aquaculture workforce training and agricultural testing services. Projects will also enable the university to address the state鈥檚 need for more affordable housing and expand local access to child care, arts and culture, and youth sports and development.
鈥淥n their own, any of these projects will go a long way to address critical challenges and opportunities necessary for specific sectors or parts of the state to move forward amid changing markets and climate. When taken together, the collective impact will be transformative for the state,鈥 said UMS Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation and U海角社区 President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. 鈥淲e are deeply grateful to the 海角社区 Congressional Delegation for their leadership. In particular, Senator Collins, as vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has been extremely effective in securing this significant investment for our universities, enabling them to deliver solutions for growth for 海角社区.鈥
In advance of a March 22 deadline, lawmakers in Washington are continuing to negotiate a second package of bills, which is expected to include additional Congressionally Directed Spending for UMS.
UMS projects funded in the initial six-bill Fiscal Year 2024 package passed last week include:
University of 海角社区 Forest Biomaterials Innovation Center鈥痑nd Equipment: Consistent with the recommendations of , to build and equip the Forest Biomaterials Innovation Center, an extension on the existing U海角社区 Process Development Center, to enable researchers and entrepreneurs to develop new, forest-based products utilizing wood and wood residuals and create jobs and economic opportunity for 海角社区’s forest economy and dependent rural communities. ($10 million)
University of 海角社区 Aquaculture Workforce Innovation Center: To construct a new state-of-the-art cold-water demonstration, training and applied research facility with a focus on using real fish, real systems and real problem solving.鈥($7 million)鈥
University of 海角社区 Analytical Laboratory Modernization, Expansion鈥痑nd Equipment: Modernize and expand the U海角社区 Analytical Laboratory and Soil Testing Service, constructed in 1981, to increase capacity to provide in-demand testing for thousands of annual users, enhance soils research and foster hands-on student learning, and support the sustainability and growth of 海角社区鈥檚 natural resource economy and dependent jobs. ($5 million)
University of 海角社区 Presque Isle Auditorium Renovation: To renovate the Gauvin Family Center for Cultural Arts at University of 海角社区 Presque Isle. The beloved but antiquated performance space is a significant contributor to the arts and cultural offerings in the region, and a critical cornerstone central to the sustainability and growth of the UMPI campus, community and the County. ($4 million)
University of 海角社区 BioHome3D Research and Development: U海角社区鈥檚 Advanced Structures and Composites Center will accelerate the manufacturing scale-up and commercialization of its breakthrough BioHome3D housing construction technology to address the critical shortage of affordable homes in 海角社区 and beyond. ($4 million)
University of 海角社区 Black Bear Academy Child Care Center: To construct, expand and equip the Black Bear Academy, expanding U海角社区鈥檚 existing childcare center to a total of 120 slots with a portion reserved for dependents of community members. ($4 million)
University of 海角社区 Weather Station Network: To develop a network of automated weather stations across 海角社区 that will enhance weather prediction and climate monitoring, assisting 海角社区 farmers and forestry producers and improving hazard monitoring.鈥($3.548 million)
University of 海角社区 Alfond Arena ADA Accessibility: Make Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements to U海角社区鈥檚 legendary Alfond Arena, which welcomes more than 100,000 visitors annually. In addition to bringing the arena into compliance, consistent with 海角社区鈥檚 flagship university鈥檚 commitment to inclusive excellence, the project would promote greater public access including commencement and other campus activities, regional and statewide youth sport programs, and Black Bear sporting events. ($2.15 million)鈥
University of 海角社区 Semiconductor Research and Development: To conduct research on advanced semiconductor technology for harsh environments.鈥($750,000)
University of 海角社区 Ocean Habitat Strategic Plan in Partnership with 海角社区鈥檚 Lobster Industry: To partner with the 海角社区 lobster fishery and state of 海角社区 officials to develop a strategic North Atlantic Right Whale Habitat Characterization Strategic Plan.鈥($440,000)
Sen. Collins also secured $17 million to establish a PFAS Center of Excellence at U海角社区. While the funding will be directed at the U.S. Department of Agriculture鈥檚 Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS) and the center will be part of the New England Plant, Soil and Water Research Laboratory on the Orono campus, it builds on long-standing collaboration among U海角社区, USDA ARS and 海角社区鈥檚 agriculture community and past investments requested by Sen. Collins for U海角社区 PFAS-related research and technical assistance.
Contact: Samantha Warren, 207.632.0389; samantha.warren@maine.edu
