District says $1.67 million federal award will renovate AYS building and expand community services

A district representative reported that a federal award of $1,670,000 will fund renovation of the AYS building and creation of a community center to expand current AYS offerings, childcare and workforce training.

"Our collaborative which includes AYS and the United Way, will be will be receiving $1,670,000 to renovate the AYS building and develop a community center that will expand current AYS offerings, childcare, workforce training, and increased visibility for the United Way," the speaker stated.

The representative credited staff in Senator Susan Collins’ office for help with the application and named Carlene Tremblay for communications support. The official also said a separate application with the Maine Development Foundation for federal funding of a CDL program is still a possibility but has not been awarded.

Board members did not vote on the award during the meeting; the report was delivered as part of regular administrative updates. The district also noted increased enrollments in adult education offerings and cited specific recruitment and marketing efforts aimed at improving participation.

Next steps described by the speaker include administrative follow-up with program partners about implementation details and timing; the transcript did not provide a project schedule or specific contracting details.