When we talk about the economic impact of biotechnology in Maine, an often overlooked aspect is the actual brick-and-mortar presence.
As Staff Writer Tina Fischer writes, we’re seeing site expansion at Maine’s three major research labs — Bigelow Laboratory in East Boothbay and Jackson Laboratory and Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, the latter two of which are based in Bar Harbor. The startup Marin Skincare is expanding its footprint in a Portland industrial park.
The recent wave of facility expansions demonstrates that Maine’s life sciences sector is not only growing, but putting down long-term roots, as Tina reports.
“We’re seeing expanded labs, new collaborations and increased research capacity that will generate high-quality jobs and strengthen Maine’s competitive edge, particularly in biomedical research, marine science and bio-based innovation,” Agnieszka Carpenter, executive director of the Bioscience Association of Maine, tells Mainebiz.
Meanwhile, the University of Maine is gaining ground as a startup hub. As Senior Writer Laurie Schreiber writes, UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center has spun off a number of companies over the years. The creation of high paying jobs is one aspect of the spinoffs.
“One of our goals is to take the technology and make sure it works for people in the state of Maine and to make jobs in Maine,” Habib Dagher, the center’s executive director, tells Laurie.
