University of New England

Governor leads rally for bonds that advance Maine research and development initiatives 

Maine Governor John Baldacci, local officials, and leading members of Maine's biomedical research institutions joined to rally at the University of New England on Sept. 15th in support of bonds that will advance Maine's innovation-based economy. 

The $20 million bond referendum will be Question No. 4 on the Nov. 8, 2005 statewide ballot.

The Question 4 bond issue, if approved by voters, is expected to stimulate economic growth and job creation through investments in the
Maine economy in anticipation of approximately $44,000,000 in federal and private funds.

Of the $20 million bond issue, $8 million would go to the Maine Biomedical Research Fund to support capital infrastructure and $4 million would go to the Marine Infrastructure and Technology Fund.

UNE is a member of both the Maine Marine Research Coalition (MMRC) and the Maine Biomedical Research Coalition (MBRC), two entities that will receive state funding if the Research and Development Bond is approved.

Economic expansion through innovation
The Governor told the gathering that the Question 4 bond issue "is part of my administration's action plan to expand economic opportunity through innovation.  By strategically investing in research and development, we can help create the new products, new ideas, new knowledge that will protect and enhance Maine's economy, support working families, and create jobs."

The Governor explained how this bond package continues major investments in Maine's economic and technological infrastructure.  "My 2003 jobs bond supported biomedical research statewide, a new science building at the University of Southern Maine, and investments here at the University of New England.  Our new biomedical triangle linking Bangor, Orono, and Bar Harbor's Jackson Laboratory will complement and augment current efforts and create a collaborative approach to research statewide.  Together, we will provide the critical mass to create jobs and improve public health, create research and development capacity, and develop our health care workforce."

Research and development performance is essential to the growth of Maine's economy, the Governor said.  His administration's budgets have provided a 40 percent increase in R&D funding to the university system. 

"Biomedical research jobs on average pay $60,000 per year," said Governor Baldacci.  "Biotechnology employment in Maine has tripled in the last ten years.  And we are just beginning."  (More on jobs and economic boost)

Boost to local communities
At the press conference, UNE President Sandra Featherman said that Question 4 research and development funds will provide an economic boost to our local communities.

"First, it will create immediate construction jobs," she explained, "which will go almost entirely to local and regional vendors. Then, it will create many quality research-related jobs. These individuals and their families will live, consume goods and invest in our area. And that's just the beginning of industries which are tied to institutions which will stay in Maine for the long haul.

Benefits to UNE
Maine biomedical research funds directed to the University of New England will be used to help finance the construction of the new biomedical research facility on the University Campus in Biddeford.  The construction of a new biomedical research facility for the College of Osteopathic Medicine is slated to begin as early as summer 2007.  Medical scientists will use this facility to perform research in a variety of fields, including pain, diabetes and geriatrics.

UNE would also apply for funds from the Maine Marine Research Funds to establish a Marine Biochemical Research Institute. The new facility will house new laboratories and associated support space, performing research that will identify and characterize compounds from marine plants and animals for pharmaceutical and chemical research and potential product development. The research generated at this facility will tie into research conducted at UNE's Marine Science Center and UNE's College of Osteopathic Medicine's biomedical research laboratories.

Among those joining Gov. Baldacci and Pres. Featherman in support of the Question 4 bond issue were Biddeford Mayor Wallace Nutting, Saco Mayor Mark Johnston, State Senator and UNE Trustee Barry Hobbins, Maine Medical Center CEO/President Vince Conti, and UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine Dean Stephen Shannon. 

The Governor concluded, "While the direct economic benefit from these state investments is important, we should not lose sight of the impact of the ground breaking health research being done at these institutions.  Researcher are working to uncover new avenues for understanding the diseases that directly impact so many Maine people, and increase our cost of health care -- like diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's and cancer.  This is ground breaking research that will someday develop treatment or cures for diseases that at one point touch the lives of every person in Maine."

(Press release issued Sept. 15, 2005)