Northern Maine's GreenME Initiative Wins Federal Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge Funding

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the winners of the $37 million Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge, a multi-agency competition launched in May to support the advancement of twenty high-growth regional industry clusters. Investments from three federal agencies (the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration, and the U.S. Small Business Administration) and technical assistance from thirteen additional agencies will promote development in areas such as advanced manufacturing, information technology, aerospace and clean technology in rural and urban regions spanning 21 states. Projects are being driven by local communities that identified the economic strengths of their areas, with funding awarded to the proposals deemed the best.

One of the winning initiatives (and the only one from New England) is the GreenME program from Northeastern Maine (including Aroostook and Washington Counties).  This Renewable Energy Industry Cluster (REIC) consists of representatives from approximately 55 businesses that employ over 500 people located throughout the State of Maine with the majority from the region. These businesses produce energy extracted or captured from on-going natural processes, generated and regenerated naturally. The project objective is to transition 9,000 residential units and 20 commercial facilities to primary or supplemental wood biomass fuel in four years. According to projections, this would result in 260 direct industry cluster jobs and 196 indirect and induced jobs in the regional economy.  Planners advise that the implementation of this renewable energy strategy will require a comprehensive and targeted workforce development strategy to train residential and commercial heating installers.

Media report:

Bangor Daily News: Commission receives $1.9M to help create renewable energy jobs (24 SEP 11)

Background information:

U.S. Economic Development Administration: Jobs & Innovation Accelerator Challenge

USEDA: Jobs & Innovation Accelerator Challenge Project: GreenME