Jump to main content.

THIS IS AN ARCHIVED SITE

This site contains information that has been considered archived and will no longer be updated. Please click here to go to the CURRENT eda.gov website.

A bureau within the U.S. Department of Commerce
Newsroom

Newsroom

Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests Nearly $3.4 Million to Support Biomedical Cluster Growth in Maine

Contact: Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
Tuesday, September 29, 2015


WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced today that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding two grants totaling nearly $3.4 million to support biomedical research and medical device manufacturing in the state of Maine. According to grantee estimates, combined these projects will create nearly 400 jobs and generate close to $120 million in private investment.

“The Department of Commerce is committed to ensuring our nation’s infrastructure is able to support business growth and job creation in our communities,” said Secretary Pritzker. “The EDA investments announced today will help Maine bolster its growing biomedical cluster and create jobs in emerging industries.”

The EDA investments announced today include:

  • $1,820,000 to the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor to help build a state-of-the-art biomedical facility. According to the grantee, when fully operational, the lab will play a critical role in the advancement of biomedical research here at home and abroad.
  • $1,549,200 to the City of Presque Isle to outfit an industrial building owned by the city to accommodate the expansion of an orthodontic and medical device manufacturer. EDA’s investment will help fund the construction of offices, clean rooms, general and specialty production rooms, access modifications, and exterior site and parking improvements. According to the grantee, this project will enable this manufacturer to combine all of its current Presque Isle operations into a single facility, which will significantly improve manufacturing efficiency, support an expansion that will keep the company competitive, create new, high-quality manufacturing jobs, and strengthen the critical economic base that Presque Isle provides for the region.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The Economic Development Administration marks 50 years of public service, leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.