BOND SEEKS TO IMPROVE FACILITIES AT ALL SEVEN UMS CAMPUSES

Posted: June 05, 2015 | Appropriations and Financial Affairs, Senator Dill

AUGUSTA – A $35 million dollar bond to fund renovation, repairs, and research at University of Maine campuses across the state was introduced at a public hearing in the state’s Appropriations Committee today.

 

Sen. Jim Dill of Old Town

Sen. Jim Dill of Old Town

“This bond would help to modernize classrooms and labs, upgrade out-of-date wireless internet systems, and invest in research through the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and STEM Education,” said Democratic Senator Jim Dill of Old Town, the sponsor of the bond. “Building on the University of Maine’s success in research, workforce training, and economic development is a smart investment in our future.”

 

The bond proposal includes funding for all seven campuses of the University System. The itemized breakdown of funding is as follows:

 

  • $5 million – Provides funds to renovate, renew, or replace facilities and infrastructure to advance Gulf of Maine­ related marine education and research at multiple locations, including the University of Maine at Machias and the University of Maine.
  • $10 million – Provides funds to renovate, renew, or replace existing University of Maine facilities and infrastructure, including for science, technology, engineering, and math education, and for research to support economic development.
  • $1.6 million – Provides funds to renovate, renew, or replace existing University of Maine at Augusta facilities and infrastructure, including for modernizing classrooms, labs, technology, and energy improvements.
  • $1.6 million – Provides funds to renovate, renew, or replace existing University of Maine at Farmington facilities and infrastructure, including for modernizing classrooms, labs, technology, and energy improvements.
  • $1.6 million – Provides funds to renovate, renew, or replace existing University of Maine at Fort Kent facilities and infrastructure, including for modernizing classrooms, labs, technology, and energy improvements.
  • $1.6 million – Provides funds to renovate, renew, or replace existing University of Maine at Machias facilities and infrastructure, including for modernizing classrooms, labs, technology, and energy improvements.
  • $1.6 million – Provides funds to renovate, renew, or replace existing University of Maine at Presque Isle facilities and infrastructure, including for modernizing classrooms, labs, technology, and energy improvements.
  • $7 million – Provides funds to renovate, renew, or replace existing University of Southern Maine facilities and infrastructure, including for modernizing classrooms, labs, technology, and energy improvements.
  • $5 million – Provides funds to upgrade out-of-date wireless infrastructure, including for fiber and wiring improvements to support high-speed network access at multiple campuses.

 

The Appropriations Committee will be holding a work session on the bill LD 385, “An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Improvements to Facilities at the University of Maine System Campuses,” in the coming weeks. If approved, the bond measure will go to the voters of Maine for their approval.

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