Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, announced that $1,725,000 in funding that she requested for the relocation of the Corinna Fire Department Fire Station was included in the Fiscal Year 2022 Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Bill. The bill was passed by the Appropriations Committee today by a vote of 25-5 and will now be considered by the full Senate.
Currently, the Corinna Fire Department Fire Station is operating out of a small, outdated building in need of repairs. The funding for which Senator Collins advocated would help relocate the fire station to a larger, town-owned building that will ensure the station is able to meet the town and surrounding communities’ emergency and safety needs.
“Firefighters play a critical role in protecting lives and property in our communities,” said Senator Collins. “The relocation of the Corinna Fire Department will allow firefighters to operate out of a more modern, efficient building and enhance their ability to respond to emergencies in Corinna, Exeter, and the surrounding towns. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I strongly advocated for the inclusion of this funding, and I will continue to champion this project as the Appropriations process moves forward.”
The Corinna Fire Department serves both the towns of Corinna and Exeter, in addition to maintaining mutual aid agreements with six local communities. Staffed by volunteers, the Corinna Fire Department responds to an average of over 100 calls per year.
During the Appropriations process, Senator Collins submitted a total of 110 Congressionally Directed Spending requests amounting to more than $286 million across nine Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations bills. The funding will support projects by Maine’s state government, municipalities, and non-profits that will promote job creation and economic development, improve infrastructure, expand community resources for Mainers, and protect our environment. The text of the remaining Appropriations bills will be released over the next several weeks.
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