Economic Development

A photo of a group with shovels during a groundbreaking

Construction begins for the first-of-its kind, cutting-edge sustainable manufacturing research facility at UMaine

The University of Maine broke ground today on the Green Engineering and Materials (GEM) building, a 50,000-square-foot facility designed to house the cutting-edge Factory of the Future (FoF) incorporating digital manufacturing technologies and fully adaptive, immersive learning spaces for students at UMaine and across the University of Maine System.  Scheduled for completion in 2026, GEM […]

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‘The Maine Question’ dives into Maine’s blue economy  

The ocean, the plants and animals that reside in it and the coastline it formed are integral to Maine’s economy and culture. While heritage industries like fishing and shipbuilding have persisted for centuries, they and other coastal industries are changing. Climate change and the loss of working waterfront threaten their viability, but new fisheries, products, […]

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A photo collage of Fisher Macklin

Fisher Macklin: Going the distance in food innovation

As a runner, Fisher Macklin has always been interested in food and how it fuels his body as an athlete. During his time at the University of Maine, that interest has grown into a major area of study and a unique on-campus job at the Dr. Matthew Highlands Food Pilot Plant. When Fisher arrived at […]

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Applications for I-Corps October 2024 cohort due Oct. 7

The Office of Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Resources and Engagement (SPIRE) has opened applications for Cohort 24.1 of the Innovation Corps, or I-Corps, program, which begins on Oct. 17. Applications are due by the close of business on Monday, Oct. 7. I-Corps is a National Science Foundation-funded customer discovery program that teaches faculty, staff and students […]

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UMaine achieves fifth straight year of record-breaking research funding

For the fifth consecutive year, the University of Maine’s research enterprise has achieved all-time high record levels of receiving and expending R&D funding. In fiscal year 2024, the total external funding has reached $225.3 million resulting in a 19% increase over $189.7 million in fiscal year 2023 and a 147% increase over six years. Additionally, […]

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UMaine’s MIRTA accelerator program welcomes four teams into 2024 cohort

Four faculty- and staff-led innovation teams have been selected to participate in the seventh cohort of the University of Maine’s MIRTA accelerator program.  The 2024 projects will involve developing research innovations in environmentally-friendly advanced manufacturing, web privacy protections, water filtration for a group of chemicals known as PFAS, and accelerated soil carbonation to reduce carbon […]

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UMaine unveils new Blue Horizons brand campaign

The University of Maine, the state’s public flagship and only Research 1 (R1) institution, has launched its new brand campaign, Blue Horizons, that invites everyone to experience world-class education in a welcoming place of ingenuity, exploration and collaboration.  The Blue Horizons campaign aims to distinctly define and communicate UMaine’s unique strengths, positioning it as a […]

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Mainebiz reports on $10M grant for jet fuel and fish feed research

Mainebiz reported on a $10 million federal grant awarded to University of Maine researchers and their colleges to investigate using low-value wood to make sustainable jet fuel and fish feed. In partnership with UMass Lowell, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Arbiom, researchers aim to turn wood waste into valuable products and improve forest management.

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