Maine ranks 44th out of 50 states in research and development investment. This comparatively low investment is a barrier to our future economic growth and social fabric as Maine’s communities struggle to retain educated and ambitious young people. In November, Mainers can commit to improve our competitiveness and approve $25 million in grants to Maine businesses by voting “yes” on Question 2. Research and development drive economic growth by funding innovations in our heritage industries like forest products and marine technology, and contemporary industries, such as medical technology.
In 2017, the Legislature approved a $45 million bond with a strong bipartisan vote. Leaders on both sides of the aisle knew this was a strategic investment, and it has paid off. Over 25 grants were awarded to Maine businesses, generating 1,770 direct new jobs and roughly twice as many indirect jobs. Even better, the bond leveraged over $224 million in matching investments from the private sector and created a $1.4 billion economic impact throughout our state.
Last year, I sponsored a bill to continue this strategic investment and state lawmakers rolled behind a further $25 million investment in Maine’s rapidly growing research, development and commercialization industries. The bill has been signed by Gov. Janet Mills and is headed to voters this November. If Question 2 is approved, Maine people, current and future business owners and innovators will benefit.
People like the Bowman brothers, owners of Bowman Constructors, are two of those people. Their second-generation, family-owned businesses out of Newport manage construction projects for the University of Maine, Maine State Housing Authority and local school districts. Brian Bowman shared in testimony to the Legislature that his son was “hooked” by his tour of the University of Maine Advanced Composite and Development Center and strongly believes in the attraction and retention potential of this bond issue. “It was that easy, one more engineer, one more young person inspired and not moving away from Maine, because of investments made in research and development years ago,” said Bowman.
“Maine has a skilled workforce capable of competing globally across many different industries. Access to supportive funding for innovative efforts is essential to help Maine companies succeed and to keep talented workforce within the state,” Shawn Champagne of Lewiston-based Compounding Solutions, which supplies custom thermoplastic compounds to the medical device industry in 26 countries, said in support of the bill. He and owner Scott Neal support this bond because they understand the impact of an investment in R&D on their business and the broader workforce and economic development.
Universities, private industry, the state and municipalities all need to work together to target investment. The $25 million will be targeted at Maine’s seven technology sectors, which include biotechnology, composites and advanced materials, environmental technologies, forest products and agriculture, information technology, marine technology and aquaculture, and precision manufacturing. According to Patrick Breeding, CEO and co-founder of Marin Skincare, the life science industry (biotechnology) alone has grown 42% in the last five years. Marin Skincare products use glycoprotein from lobster to treat common skin conditions – an innovation supported by early Maine Technology Institute funds to support Breeding and his partner’s research as University of Maine graduate students. This new investment would allow more Maine-based public and private institutions to leverage matching private and federal funds on at least a one-to-one basis.
Our state is at an inflection point with a great opportunity ahead. I believe it is time to support our rapidly growing research and development industries. Investing in these industries means supporting Maine’s economic potential and creating jobs for the future. This bill received unanimous, bipartisan support in both the Senate and House, signifying the need and common interest in this issue. I hope you will take time to become familiar with Question 2 and how it will help our state. I will be voting “yes” on 2, and I encourage you to join me help move Maine forward.
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