Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) announced that she has secured $540,000 for the Equality Community Center in Portland to complete building renovations for its collaborative community center and workspace for underserved populations. Passed today by the House in the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations package, Pingree successfully fought to fund 15 community projects in the First District totaling more than $16.7 million. 

“The Equality Community Center (ECC) was founded on the belief that achieving equality and equity requires visibility and access; that is a sentiment I share, and strive to promote through my work in Congress as Vice-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus,” said Pingree. “During a time when LGBTQ+ communities are under threat and marginalized across the country, the ECC creates a safe, inclusive space for nonprofits focused on uplifting social justice and equality. I am proud to support their mission by securing this federal funding.”

“We are so grateful for Congresswoman Pingree’s leadership and continued advocacy on behalf of all marginalized communities in Maine,” said Christopher O’Connor, Executive Director of the Equality Community Center. “We are working to create a safe and inclusive gathering space with programs and services to meet the needs of the most marginalized in our community, These federal funds are a game changer, providing us the critical funds needed to enhance building systems and infrastructure and ultimately helping us provide our community with a space they deserve, a space where they can be their authentic selves and thrive.”

The CPF Pingree secured will help ECC renovate their building located at 15 Casco Street in Portland, and work toward the development of a 54-unit affordable housing complex to be located adjacent to the Center. 

Pingree is Vice-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. Click here to learn more about how Pingree is fighting for equality. 

Background

Each year, the United States Congress considers and enacts annual appropriations bills that provide the federal government with the funding it needs to operate. In 2021, the House Appropriations Committee reestablished Community Project Funding after the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress found that congressionally directed spending boosted bipartisanship, facilitated member-to-member cooperation, and gave members an equal stake in the success of appropriations bills.

For the 2024 Fiscal Year, each House member was permitted to submit 15 projects for consideration, which had to be thoroughly vetted and publicly disclosed on their website.

Pingree has been a member of the House Appropriations Committee since 2013 and is Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.

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