The University of Southern Maine may receive $9 million jointly with University of Maine for an initiative program that will strengthen technology-based businesses throughout Maine.
Last Tuesday, the Appropriations Committee of the Legislature approved a series of four bond issues, including one worth $34,970,000. Within this bond package, money will be given to USM and UM for the Advanced Manufacturing Assistance Initiative.
Mainers will vote on the bond issues in June.
USM and UM worked together with Maine industries to find out what they need to meet the growing requirements of Maine’s economy and technology-based businesses.
“The bottom line is to give them [businesses] the technical services and academic programs so that they can become as competitive as possible and in turn create more jobs for Maine,” said Director of Media Relations Bob Caswell.
The program will provide support to Maine manufacturing companies in the form of factory design, product design and testing, manufacturing techniques and computer aided design.
The universities met with more than 70 industry associations and manufacturing businesses, old and new, from Caribou to Kittery.
What they found was a “lack of access to advanced manufacturing technologies as a major impediment to economic growth and job creation and retention,” USM President Richard Pattenaude said in a letter addressed to the Appropriations Committee.
To meet the needs of Maine business and the Advanced Manufacturing Assistance Initiative, USM must again expand.
“We have the expertise but not the space to help,” Caswell said.
USM would receive $4 million out of the $10 million proposal. The money would be pumped into the School of Applied Science Engineering and Technology (ASET) to build a 20,000 square foot Technology Assistance and Training Facility addition to the John Mitchell Center in Gorham.
The addition would hold classrooms and laboratory space for Maine business to learn advanced manufacturing technologies and techniques.
ASET already works with Maine business by providing them with applied science, engineering and technical support.
UM will use $5 million to expand their campus as well.
“If we strengthen ASET and the programs and services they deliver, and that school’s relationship with Maine’s industries, that in turn will strengthen the entire University,” Caswell said.
News Editor Sherry Whittemore can be contacted at [email protected]