Bar Harbor Fire Department Likely to Receive Funds for New Ambulance, Southwest Harbor, YMCA, the Labs, and others
Feb 12, 2026
WASHINGTON, DC—Multiple organizations in Bar Harbor and throughout Hancock County will likely receive Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) for projects in the upcoming fiscal year.
Those projects include the expansion of the MDI YMCA, local laboratories, and funds to help pay for a new ambulance for the Bar Harbor Fire Department.
U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced Monday, February 9, that she successfully secured $425,716,000 through Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) for 156 projects located throughout Maine in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Appropriations bills signed into law to date.
The senator secured 15 Projects for Hancock County, totaling $39,393,000.
This funding secured by Senator Collins will support targeted investments throughout each of Maine’s 16 counties.
Bar Harbor’s fire department will receive $125,000 to help fund a new ambulance. According to Fire Chief Matt Bartlett that amount is not yet reflected in the upcoming draft budget because it still awaits the final step of presidential approval.
“We appreciate Senator Collins’ support and the inclusion of $125,000 in appropriations toward the ambulance purchase,” Chief Bartlett said.
The full purchase price of the ambulance is $450,000.
“As the town manager said during a recent warrant committee meeting, the town budgets the full cost of planned capital projects while actively pursuing grants and outside funding to reduce the burden on local taxpayers. This project is a good example of that approach,” Chief Bartlett said. “We request full funding up front so we can properly plan for the longterm replacement of critical equipment. Until grant funds are actually received, we do not support subtracting them from the budget. Even when an award appears likely, counting those funds too early could potentially create a funding gap that would delay, or prevent, the timely replacement of this essential emergency vehicle.”
Chief Bartlett said the town received Senator Collins’ letter on February 3.
”The fire department is grateful for the support of our Congressional delegation, and this funding will eventually help offset a major capital investment while supporting our ability to provide reliable emergency medical services with modern equipment for residents,” Chief Bartlett said.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR
Southwest Harbor will receive $780,000 to upgrade the town’s wastewater infrastructure.
“We are very excited to have our Wood Street water/sewer infrastructure project approved for Congressionally Directed funding,” Town Manager Karen Reddersen said, Tuesday. “It will improve that roadway and the water/sewer infrastructure, and we hope that it will lead to additional housing opportunities in the long term.”
Housing opportunities is one of the goals for the town and its select board.
“We know from the senator’s office that we will be in receipt of this funding for the project and we are thankful for the continued support we have received for the Town of Southwest Harbor,” Reddersen said.
The town will be responsible for 20% of the project cost. It has a preliminary concept design that was included in the grant request, but the project will need to be more formally engineered and bid documents developed, Reddersen said.
“Engineering costs would be utilized from the FY26 reserve accounts and once engineering, cost estimates, and bid documents are updated and developed, we would likely present to the town for bond consideration for the matching funds needed for the project, which supports our comprehensive plan,” Reddersen said. “We are in the early stages of this project and are excited about the opportunity!”
THE LABS, SWAN’S ISLAND, HANCOCK COUNTY, AND THE MDI YMCA
The MDI Biological Laboratory Research and Health Training Facility will receive just short of $2 million for facilities and equipment to support biomedical research and health innovation.
The Jackson Laboratory received approximately $2.6 million to purchase research equipment for biomedical imaging and advanced microscopy.
The MDI YMCA in Bar Harbor received half a million for a multi-purpose facility (Bar Harbor) meant to help construct a multi-purpose facility for pre-school, after-school, and community programs.
Swan’s Island will receive approximately $1.4 million to expand the fire and ambulance station.
Hancock County will receive $2.3 million to purchase public safety equipment for law enforcement agencies throughout the county.
“From increasing access to higher education, child care, and affordable housing to supporting Maine’s hospitals, improving our roads and bridges, and rebuilding police, fire, and EMS stations, these targeted investments will provide real and direct benefits for communities in all 16 counties,” Senator Collins said in a press release. “As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I fought hard to ensure this important funding was included in the final funding bills that were signed into law.”
Senator Collins also officially announced earlier this week that she is running for reelection. If she wins, it would be her sixth term. Leading Democratic challengers currently are considered to be Governor Janet Mills and Graham Platner.
THE PROJECTS:
Bar Harbor Fire Department Ambulance (Bar Harbor)
Recipient: Bar Harbor Fire Department
Amount: $125,000
Bill: LHHS-Ed
Project Purpose: To purchase a new ambulance.
MDI Biological Laboratory Research and Health Training Facility (Bar Harbor)
Recipient: Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory
Amount: $1,935,000
Bill: LHHS-Ed
Project Purpose: For facilities and equipment to support biomedical research and health innovation.
MDI YMCA Multi-Purpose Facility (Bar Harbor)
Recipient: Mount Desert Island YMCA
Amount: $500,000
Bill: Agriculture
Project Purpose: To construct a multi-purpose facility for pre-school, after-school, and community programs.
Research Instrumentation for Biomedical Imaging and Microscopy (Bar Harbor)
Recipient: Jackson Laboratory
Amount: $2,679,000
Bill: LHHS-Ed
Project Purpose: To purchase research equipment for biomedical imaging and advanced microscopy.
Bucksport Main Street Safety Improvements (Bucksport)
Recipient: Maine Department of Transportation
Amount: $7,200,000
Bill: THUD
Project Purpose: To rehabilitate State Route 15 in Bucksport.
Bucksport Regional Health Center Dental Expansion (Bucksport)
Recipient: Bucksport Regional Health Center
Amount: $1,980,000
Bill: LHHS-Ed
Project Purpose: For facilities and equipment to expand dental services.
Small Vessel Training Program (Castine)
Recipient: Maine Maritime Academy
Amount: $1,170,000
Bill: LHHS-Ed
Project Purpose: To support workforce development through small vessel training.
Training Laboratory (Castine)
Recipient: Maine Maritime Academy
Amount: $2,800,000
Bill: LHHS-Ed
Project Purpose: To purchase equipment for a simulation laboratory aboard the State of Maine training vessel.
Deer Isle State Route 15 Causeway Improvements (Deer Isle)
Recipient: Maine Department of Transportation
Amount: $12,000,000
Bill: THUD
Project Purpose: To improve the causeway between the mainland and the towns of Deer Isle and Stonington.
Friends in Action Senior Center Equipment (Ellsworth)
Recipient: Friends in Action
Amount: $140,000
Bill: LHHS-Ed
Project Purpose: To purchase equipment for senior center services.
Hancock County Public Safety Equipment (Hancock)
Recipient: Hancock County
Amount: $2,300,000
Bill: CJS
Project Purpose: To purchase public safety equipment for law enforcement agencies in Hancock County.
Town of Southwest Harbor for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements (Southwest Harbor)
Recipient: Town of Southwest Harbor
Amount: $780,000
Bill: Interior
Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Southwest Harbor.
Swan’s Island Fire and Ambulance Station (Swan’s Island)
Recipient: Town of Swan’s Island
Amount: $1,444,000
Bill: Agriculture
Project Purpose: To expand the fire and ambulance station.
Facility Restoration (Winter Harbor)
Recipient: Winter Harbor Historical Society
Amount: $1,150,000
Bill: THUD
Project Purpose: To restore and upgrade facilities and improve accessibility.
Schoodic Research Learning Center Renovations (Winter Harbor)
Recipient: National Park Service
Amount: $3,190,000
Bill: Interior
Project Purpose: To upgrade facilities at Acadia’s Research Learning Center.
LINK TO LEARN MORE
To view an interactive map of all CDS projects Senator Collins has secured funding for since 2021, click here.
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Acadia Brochures of Maine.
Follow us on Facebook or BlueSky or Instagram. And as a reminder, you can easily view all our past stories and press releases here.
Bar Harbor Story is a mostly reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thanks for being here with us and being part of our community too!
Discover more from Bar Harbor Story
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.