PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 15, 2025
Maine has received $22 million in federal funding to scale up commercial development of new wood-based technology, such as environmentally friendly building and packaging materials. The funding is earmarked for the state’s Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub, which is led by the Maine Technology Institute. Federal money will pay to stand up the hub with management and staff and provide grants for innovative technology proposed by companies. The other half of the funding will be earmarked to the University of Maine to commercialize business ideas. From 2000 to 2020, average employment in pulp and paper mills dropped by 72% in Maine.