A donor’s grant to Haystack Mountain School of Crafts will help revitalize and expand Haystack's community Fab Lab program for residents of Hancock County. In response to the growing impact of the pandemic and shortages of PPE for essential workers in early 2020, Haystack’s Fab Lab helped produce and deliver 3,500 face shields and 2,500 ear savers (bands that relieve the pressure of elastic face mask loops) for essential workers across the state. Photo courtesy Haystack Mountain School of Crafts
Great minds at a Downeast Innovation Network event sparked an idea that has brought a life sciences and technology hub to Eastern Maine. The Downeast Innovation Network is funded by MaineCF to help foster innovation and entrepreneurship. Now a $10,000 grant from the community foundation is helping the hub's organizers build awareness of the region’s life sciences and technology facilities, talent, and opportunities.
The Eastern Maine Life Sciences & Technology Hub of Excellence aims to create connections among research and development, education, entrepreneurship, and investment. It also will provide networking and learning opportunities. The MaineCF grant will fund messaging and marketing materials, including a new website to connect job seekers, new entrepreneurs, and investors.
Eastern Maine has the highest concentration of biomedical research expertise and National Institutes of Health funding in Maine. The Jackson Laboratory, University of Maine, Downeast Institute, and MDI Biological Laboratory all are located between Orono and coastal Hancock and Washington counties and conduct federally supported research in life sciences.
Judy Sproule, of MDI Biological Laboratory in Bar Harbor and a member of the hub’s advisory committee, says the group has already identified 28 companies, six research institutions, four academic institutions, five technical training institutions, two outreach organizations, four economic and business development organizations, and 14 incubators, accelerators, and work spaces that comprise a supportive “ecosystem.”
“If this hub is promoted and managed deliberately, it can spark more collaboration, innovation, and economic development, and attract even more talent to the region,” said Sproule.
Other members of the initial advisory committee also include leadership from the University of Maine, Downeast Institute, Maine Small Business Development Centers at Coastal Enterprises, Inc., and Mount Desert 365.
Fostering “Hubs of Excellence” is a key strategy in Maine’s 10-year economic development plan. The Eastern Maine hub was the first to be officially recognized as a collaborator on the strategic plan by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.
Those interested in connecting with the group are encouraged to contact hub@lifesciencesmaine.com.
