The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development has awarded $260,000 to a coalition of Maine-based defense contractors and educational institutions as part of a workforce development initiative launched earlier this year.
In March, Gov. Janet Mills, alongside members of Maine’s congressional delegation Sens. Susan Collins (R), Angus King (I), and Rep. Chellie Pingree (D), announced the formation of the Maine Defense Industry Alliance (MDIA) at the York County Community College Instructional Site in Sanford.
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MDIA, a non-profit coalition of Maine defense companies, state agencies, community colleges and universities, and other vocational training organizations.
Its industry partners include General Dynamics subsidiary Bath Iron Works, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and Berwick aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corp. (formerly Raytheon Technologies).
According to a March press release from the Mills administration following the rollout of MDIA, the defense sector in Maine employs 19,000 people across more than 150 companies, totaling $3.2 billion in defense spending in 2021.
“Maine has a long, storied, and proud history of supporting our national defense,” Gov. Mills said at the MDIA launch in March.
“Today, we advance that legacy by establishing the Maine Defense Industry Alliance. By marshalling the resources of state government, higher education institutions, and leading defense companies, this public and private partnership will build a pipeline of skilled workers to fill good-paying jobs in Maine’s defense sector and fulfil our mission of supporting the defense of our nation,” Mills said.
The three defense contractors partnered with MDIA anticipate that there will be more than 7,500 skilled positions to fill in the Maine’s defense industry within the next five years.
The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development granted $260,000 to MDIA as part of a no-bid contract dated Nov. 18, 2024.
“MDIA will help grow Maine’s workforce by attracting and recruiting workers to
Maine’s defense manufacturers,” Department staff wrote in the contract document, saying the grant falls in line with Gov. Mills’ Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="32672 https://www.themainewire.com/?p=32672">5 Comments
The Democratic Governor anti Trump is coming home to roost.
The Independent king’s stance is coming home to roost.
There are other shipyards which can build war ships.
Governor Remember when YOU did not show up for Trumps visit to a Maine plant making nose swabs, well you did not show for the Maine workers!
“Maine has a long, storied, and proud history of supporting our national defense,” Gov. Mills said at the MDIA launch in March.
Hope Mills has the same thoughts when ICE comes to get your illegal voters!!!
“The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development granted $260,000 to MDIA as part of a no-bid contract dated Nov. 18, 2024.” Who cares about the money, its just Maine State Money. OH, I forgot that the State of Maine only has money that it has taken from Maine citizens, such as my Family. As a past bidder on government contracts, I question why this was put out without going to bid by our Governess.
Why does government, from which virtually every dollar to these profitable companies emanates, need to pay anything for employee training?