Friday, February 13, 2009

Maine funds $1 million in grants for aerospace, other alliances

By Brendan Lynch

The Maine Technology Institute reports it has given more than $1 million in grants to state technology organizations looking to encourage high-tech business in the state.
 
The Manufacturers Association of Maine received almost $500,000 from MTI to fund a Maine Aerospace Alliance, in addition to more than $600,000 in outside matching funds. MTI said the Manufacturers Association plans to help local companies get certification and training to make them more competitive. The initiative may use the land and infrastructure that became available when Brunswick Air Force Base closed, according to the MTI.

The Maine Grocers Association and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership received a grant of almost $500,000 to create the Maine Food Producers Alliance, which will help local food producers implement web-based ordering, distribution and fulfillment systems.

The Environmental and Energy Technology Council also received a $50,000 grant to launch a new ocean energy cluster to showcase Maine’s ocean-focused businesses and research institutions.

MTI announced last month that it had seed grants for 14 Maine organizations, many in the energy and clean tech sector, totaling $155,000. The grants, which require one-to-one matching contributions by the recipients for purposes such as salaries and equipment, are intended to help entrepreneurs bring new technologies to market and spawn jobs and revenue within Maine.