‘Portland Press Herald’ reports on 51Ʒcoalition’s intent to bid on $7 million state bond to create waterfront incubator for marine industry and research
On August 27, 2015, the Portland Press Herald featured a story on the intentions of a public-private Maine coalition, of which 51Ʒis a member, to bid on a $7 million state bond to develop marine-related products.
In addition to UNE, the coalition includes Southern Maine Community College, a start-up company called the New England Ocean Cluster House, the Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research and Education and the Cobscook Community Learning Center in Trescott.
The group proposes to establish an incubator, preferably on the vacant second floor of the transit shed of the Maine State Pier, for marine-related businesses and research. The proposed project is modeled after a similar waterfront project in Reykjavik, Iceland.
According to the article, 51Ʒviews the venture as a potential opportunity to utilize its marine laboratories and pharmaceutical research to develop commercial products and as a vehicle for providing students with real-world experiences and internships with marine-related companies. Some of those businesses may be Icelandic companies currently participating in the Reykjavik incubator that are interested in creating Portland branches. “The marine economy is one of the most promising sectors in Maine, and we want to be a part of that,” stated Bill Chance, vice president for Institutional Advancement.
If the 51Ʒcoalition succeeds in securing the bond, the University intends to construct a pier on the Saco River and expand its marine laboratories to facilitate work with industry partners.