The University of Maine and its partners have been awarded $20 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to accelerate innovation and commercialization within Maine’s forest products sector.
The funding supports the Maine Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub, a statewide consortium focused on transforming low-value wood into high-value bioproducts, advanced building materials, sustainable packaging, and alternative aviation fuels.
The investment will help expand commercial-scale manufacturing, strengthen Maine’s innovation ecosystem, and develop a skilled workforce through new apprenticeship and training programs. UMaine will lead technology development efforts, while the Maine Technology Institute will support market commercialization and entrepreneurship, and the Maine Department of Labor will oversee workforce development initiatives.
Building on the EDA-supported work of Forest Opportunity Roadmap/Maine (FOR/Maine), the Tech Hub leverages a strong network of industry, workforce, education, and economic development partners to ensure Maine remains a global leader in the forest economy.
Within the Tech Hub, FOR/Maine, with support from the Maine Development Foundation, serves as a forest industry advisory arm, providing strategic guidance on market opportunities, emerging technologies, workforce needs, and commercialization priorities.
Why it matters: This significant federal investment reinforces Maine’s position as a national leader in advanced forest bioproducts while creating opportunities for innovation, workforce development, and rural economic growth. The Hub’s focus is on supporting companies that are converting low-value wood into next-generation products in three areas of strategic national significance: advanced construction systems, advanced packaging materials and alternative aviation fuels.
The Tech Hub project is well positioned to accelerate commercialization, strengthen domestic supply chains, and create new jobs throughout Maine.
For more information:
UMaine-led $20 million EDA Tech Hub investment fuels Maine’s forest economy – UMaine News – The University of Maine