SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine – Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) has received $2,236,600 in federal Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) for a Heat Pumps Training Lab Creation and Plumbing Lab Expansion project, included in the fiscal year 2026 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill. 
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured the funding. The investment will renovate space on SMCC’s South Portland campus to create a dedicated heat pump installation and service training laboratory and expand the College’s plumbing training facilities, significantly increasing capacity to train skilled workers across Maine.
“Investing in workforce development is essential to helping Mainers build strong careers and local businesses thrive,” Collins said. “This project will strengthen Southern Maine’s workforce pipeline by expanding access to high-quality training programs in state-of-the-art facilities. As the chair of the Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to secure this important funding.”
SMCC’s funding is part of a broader $19.4 million federal investment into the Maine Community College System (MCCS). Championed by Senator Collins, these funds are specifically designated for critically needed facilities and equipment across the state. This strategic investment aims to provide students with high-quality, affordable education aligned with Maine’s current workforce demands.
Dr. Kristen Miller, president of SMCC, stated that the funding addresses workforce shortages and supports the state’s clean energy goals.
“This funding is truly transformative for SMCC and the students and communities we serve. The Education and Training Accelerator Lab will allow us to expand hands-on, workforce-aligned training in modern, flexible spaces that meet the evolving needs of Maine’s economy,” Miller said. “We are deeply grateful to Senator Collins for her leadership and continued commitment to community colleges and workforce development, and for recognizing the critical role SMCC plays in preparing students for high-demand careers while supporting local employers and small businesses.”
Maine faces a significant shortage of skilled trades professionals, especially in HVAC, heat pump installation, and plumbing, as retirements and demand outpace the current workforce. The state has prioritized heat pump adoption to reduce energy costs and reliance on fossil fuels. Gov. Janet Mills aims to install 275,000 heat pumps statewide by 2027. Efficiency Maine reports that heat pumps can save households between $1,592 and $2,100 annually, increasing demand for trained installers and technicians. Expanding SMCC’s training capacity is essential to meeting these workforce and energy goals.
MCCS President David Daigler said investments like this enable the state’s community colleges to deliver workforce solutions at scale.
“The demand for skilled workers in critical industry sectors in Maine remains very high, and this funding for training equipment and facilities at Maine’s community colleges will help us meet that demand,” Daigler said. “We thank Senator Collins for continuing to focus on providing the resources needed to meaningfully expand our ability to provide students with an excellent education, preparing them for high-demand jobs and helping address Maine’s workforce and economic growth needs.”
The project will renovate a former masonry lab to create new heat pump training space and expand plumbing facilities with additional mock-up stations, nearly doubling program capacity. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2026 and is expected to be completed by December 2026, pending equipment availability.
To learn more about SMCC’s heating and HVAC training programs, visit:
https://www.smccme.edu/academics/pathways/industrial-technology-transportation/heating-certificate/.
Learn more about SMCC’s Workforce Training programs, visit: https://www.smccme.edu/admissions-aid/workforce-training-career-skills/