{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-announces-20-million-award-for-maines-forest-bioproducts-tech-hub", "Senator Collins Announces $20 Million Award for Maine\u2019s Forest Bioproducts Tech Hub", "2026-07-20", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "Senate", "ME", "Susan M. Collins", "C001035", "www.collins.senate.gov", "collins", "https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced today that the U.S. Department of Commerce\u2019s Economic Development Administration has awarded $20 million to Maine\u2019s Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub\u2014an economic development initiative led by the University of Maine. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called Senator Collins to personally inform her of the approval of this funding award.\n\nThe Department of Commerce originally announced an award for the Maine Tech Hub in January of last year but later withdrew the funding and required the Tech Hub to recompete for its funding award. Following the withdrawal of funding, Senator Collins and her staff worked closely with the University of Maine and other project leaders to make adjustments and provide clarifications to the grant application to help ensure its approval by the Department.\n\n\u201cThis funding is welcome news for the University of Maine, Maine\u2019s forest products industry, and the many partners working to build a stronger economic future for our state,\u201d said Senator Collins. \u201cI was proud to champion this forward-looking project, which will help find new and innovative ways to leverage our state\u2019s bountiful natural resources, create good-paying jobs, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and help ensure that the forest products industry remains a cornerstone of Maine\u2019s economy for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cSenator Collins has been a tireless champion of Maine\u2019s Tech Hub Program. We are pleased to announce our intention to fund this award, which will empower Maine\u2019s innovators to develop new and advanced forest-based bioproducts, commercialize cutting-edge technologies, and strengthen domestic supply chains,\u201d said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. \u201cPresident Trump remains committed to supporting the manufacturing industry and ensuring that jobs are created and remain in America.\u201d\n\nLed by the University of Maine in partnership with the Maine Technology Institute, the Maine Department of Labor, the Maine National Guard, industry leaders, and economic-development organizations, Maine\u2019s Tech Hub will support the development and commercialization of wood-derived alternative aviation fuel, advanced composites for construction, and safer packaging materials. The initiative will also expand workforce training and apprenticeship opportunities in advanced manufacturing.\n\nMaine\u2019s Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub was designated by the Department of Commerce in 2023 as one of 31 Tech Hubs nationwide. Tech Hubs bring together businesses, educational institutions, government agencies, and other regional partners to accelerate technological innovation, expand regional economies, and create jobs.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-21T07:32:02Z", "2026-07-21T07:33:33Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-announces-20-million-award-for-maines-forest-bioproducts-tech-hub"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.1087143793702126, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}