Mobilize Maine urges Bangor-area biomedical cluster
Mobilize Maine, a public-private partnership working to identify ways to strengthen economic development in the state, yesterday held a stakeholders meeting in Bangor, where it unveiled plans for boosting growth in the region.
Facilitated by Eastern Maine Development Corp., the Mobilize Maine initiative identified seven areas in the Greater Bangor region ripe for more development, according to a press release about the event, held at the Hilton Garden Inn. The group urged for the development of a biomedical cluster, fueled by the presence of Eastern Maine Medical Center, the Maine Institute for Human Genetics and Health, the University of Maine's graduate school of biomedical sciences and Husson University's pharmacy school, as well as Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor. Such a cluster would support Mobilize Maine's proposed vaccine project for the area, which would bolster the nation's capability to respond to pandemics like the H1N1 virus and threats of bioterrorism. The region could also capitalize on Eastern Maine Healthcare System's expertise in health care information technology, as well as on federal stimulus funds slated for health care providers using advanced health IT systems.
The group also proposed an institute for new media and innovation, an incubator that would support graduates of the New England School of Communications in Bangor, UMaine and Eastern Maine Community College working in web engineering, audio and video development and marketing. By targeting this "significant talent pool of young professionals," the region could see the development of new small businesses, according to the release.
Other initiatives include a tourism and marketing effort for the Penobscot River corridor from Belfast to Millinocket, a tourism center anchored by the Bangor International Airport, a golf course and new proposed Bangor auditorium and civic center, and a push to help R&D companies bring their products to commercialization.
Mobilize Maine is a nonprofit partnership facilitated by FairPoint Communication's Connect Northern New England Community and Economic Development Initiative, and was included in the company's agreement to buy Verizon's landline operation in northern New England in 2008. The initiative is coordinated by the state's six economic development districts, including EMDC. The goal of the effort is to guide economic development by identifying a region's assets and involving community leaders in the process. EMDC in November held a workshop inviting the public to bring ideas for guiding the future of economic development in the Greater Bangor
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments