PRESQUE ISLE — Northern Maine Community College has received an $85,000 grant from the Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges for equipment and an upgrade to its Automotive Collision Repair Lab. The money will be used for the installation of a paint booth.
The grant was announced today at NMCC by Jane Phillips, president of the donating organization.
“The Foundation was happy to make this grant to NMCC for the installation of a second down draft paint booth,” said Phillips. “This program is the only auto collision repair program among the seven community colleges in Maine and we are proud of its success. We know the demand for the program has grown and a second down draft paint booth in the lab will allow more time for students to learn this essential skill.”
NMCC President Tim Crowley explained the scope of the project. “We will be installing a down draft system which is an enclosed space, that provides for ventilation that draws the air and air-borne materials to the floor and out of the booth reducing the fumes coming in contact with student technicians. It also includes heating elements to support the drying of paint used on vehicles.”
The money will be used to improve the ventilation system in the lab now that another booth will be installed as well as upgrades to the electrical system and floor trenching, all of which will require engineering services prior to installation of the paint booth.
The Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges was established in 2009 to ensure that the state’s community colleges have the resources to provide a high quality, affordable and accessible college education for Maine people. Over the past seven years, a total of more than $32 million has been raised to improve academic programs, instructional equipment and technology.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors is chaired by former Governor of Maine the Honorable John McKernan.
