Maine — WIRED
for the Future
The state comes first in nationwide
$15 Million WIRED grant competition
Governor Baldacci spoke at a Pine
Tree Zone ceremony certifying Hodgdon Yachts in East Boothbay. Hodgdon uses composite
technologies in their yacht designs, which has put them and other Maine boat builders on
the cutting edge of the industry and helped secure the grant for the state.
Hodgdon is using PTZ benefits to add
up to 25 new jobs as part of its long-term growth strategy, which includes a contract with
the U.S. Navy to design and build a composite high-speed prototype vessel.
The craftsmanship of Maine built boats is
known around the world as being top quality and incorporating the latest technologies into
their traditional and modern designs. Some of these technologies are being developed here
at the University of Maine, and industries are using them to enhance their products to
compete in the global marketplace. Until recently these players had never been brought
together to seek funding and work together.
“It was a stroke of genius for the
state to bring all the players together to work on the grant,” said Stephen Von Vogt,
who works for Hodgdon Yachts and runs Maine Marine Manufacturing, a company which
specializes in high-tech composites.
“The grant is a significant boost to
the composite industry, which will enable us to compete better with the rest of the world
from Maine.” “Industry has been very supportive of the efforts,” said Lance
Boucher who heads up the Governor’s Office of Redevelopment & Reemployment.
“They’ve said they have had a difficult time working through state government
before, but it’s great to see that this governor stepped forward to really partner
with industry, giving them a seat at the table, and moving Maine’s economy in the
region forward.”
In an unprecedented collaborative effort,
Governor Baldacci’s administration and members of Maine’s North Star Alliance
produced a grant proposal that could propel Maine’s boatbuilding and composite
industries into the future. With tireless dedication, team members like Boucher, state
commissioners, Dr. Robert Lindyberg of UMaine R&D composites lab, and key industry
leaders worked over the holidays.
The governor toured the Landing
School of Boatbuilding and Design in Kennebunkport where the grant will be used for new
courses in composites, come September.
“Governor Baldacci has always been one
to bring all parities to the table to best tackle a problem and solve it
collaboratively,” said Boucher. “Working with everyone involved in this issue
led to a great outcome.”
Maine was one of only 13 national regions
in 12 states to take part in the $195 million WIRED initiative, which is awarded by the
U.S. Department of Labor. Twelve out of 109 applicants were chosen.
The grant will be spent developing new
boatbuilding techniques and composite materials that can make boats lighter, stronger, and
faster, marketing Maine built boats to a wider audience, training future boat builders
through Maine’s educational institutions, and providing capital for new or expanding
boat or composite businesses.
“It’s important to remember how
comprehensive it is. Not only with the 11 counties it covers — from Eastport,
Jonesborough in Jonesport, all the way down to Bath and Kittery, to the entire coast and
inland through Brunswick and the mid-coast region. But it also connects with the work
being done at the University of Maine’s research and development (R&D) center,
and the composite industry. It really puts all of the resources together in a way that it
plays off our strength,” said Governor Baldacci.
“Boatbuilding has been a part of
Maine’s heritage before we were a state. This is something that Maine has continually
had as part of its history. Something we’ve been very successful at. Now with R&D
and new composites, there is a need to bring on more workers and create an
apprenticeship-journeyman type of a career ladder.”
Funding educational and training programs
is one of the top priorities of the grant.
“Maine is strengthening its natural
shipbuilding resource, becoming more competitive in the global economy,” concluded
the governor. “We’re going to see future opportunities here.”
Commissioner Jack Cashman of the
Department of Economic and Community Development talks to Habib Dagher director of
University of Maine’s AEWC Center that develops technologies for particle
applications. Composite research has made breakthroughs at AEWC.
When the news hit in early February that
Maine not only won the WIRED grant, but was the top of the list, members of the Alliance
were ecstatic. “The grant couldn’t have come at a better time; it’s
exciting and will help us with marketing,” said Paul Riche, president of Maine Built
Boats (MBB), a member of the Alliance. “We are a group of small businesses that have
come together because the state saw the potential of our industry working together. By
working together on our common goals MBB makes us a strong marketing force. The grant will
also help train needed skilled workers in the technologies we use in boatbuilding, like
composites.”
“We just hired three new employees
this morning,” said J. B. Turner of Lyman-Morse. “The industry is in great need
of skilled workers.”
When the federal government decided to
close Brunswick Naval Air Station (BNAS) the governor created the Office of Redevelopment
& Reemployment. One of their main tasks is to find and implement solutions that would
enhance the area’s economy for a sustainable future. The recent job losses at Bath
Iron works, Maine’s largest employer and shipbuilder, were also high on the list of
the governor’s concerns. Recognizing the regional economy of the Brunswick-Bath
coastal region would need a boost, the strengths and weaknesses of the area’s
demography in labor, education, and business were assessed. Then the North Star Alliance
was formed.
This collaboration between state agencies,
the boatbuilding and composites industries, and the University of Maine is unique.
It’s the only alliance of its kind in America.
The governor took the time to admire
the craftsmanship of Maine boats during the boat show in Rockland. “The governor has
established a vision for economic growth, and we’re proud to be part of it,”
said Tim Hodgdon of Hodgdon Yachts
“The North Star Alliance was named
after the state’s emblem where the North Star is shown as the directional beacon.
This collaborative effort is showing us the way for future projects,” said
Commissioner of the Department of Labor Laura Fortman. “When BNAS was not taken off
the Department of Defense list of base closures, we looked at the best way to help the
community. We looked at the skill sets in the region of those who were going to be
dislocated. The diversity of skills was great, but we saw the need for more educational
programs.”
“It’s a very exciting time
because it is the first time state government has brought together members of so many
diverse groups to work together,” said Fortman. “The WIRED grant will provide
numerous opportunities to Maine residents through job creation and economic growth.”
“We had the best proposal and it was
recognized. We’re projecting that the grant will mean at least an additional 2,000
jobs,” said Thaxter Trafton of DECD.
“It was a very competitive
national grant process, and I’m proud that partners in Maine pooled their resources
so well and came out with a winning proposal. I’d also like to extend my
congratulations to the governor’s team for a job well done,” said Congressman
Mike Michaud.
“This regional economic
development initiative will be a good opportunity to diversify our economy and create
jobs. I’m especially glad that this project will benefit a majority of our counties
and, most importantly, will provide our state with a unique opportunity to expand
high-tech jobs.”
Tim Hodgdon of Hodgdon’s Yachts and a
member of MBB summed up what he felt Governor Baldacci has achieved: “The governor
has established a vision for economic growth, and we’re proud to be part of it.”
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