Eastern Maine’s life sciences and tech hub will be focus of Live + Work event

COURTESY / COLLEGE OF THE ATLANTIC College of the Atlantic new Davis Center for Human Ecology will host Live + Work in Maine’s program on eastern Maine’s Life Sciences and Technology Hub of Excellence. The center itself, built to passive house standards, is an example of sustainable technology.

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By Staff

Live + Work in Maine, a private-sector initiative, is planning a “Welcome Home” program that features new Mainers and Mainers who left the state and returned to pursue their careers.

The program is scheduled for Sept. 28, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at College of the Atlantic’s Davis Center for Human Ecology in Bar Harbor.

“Growing up, I was not aware of all the career opportunities that are in the state,” Live + Work in Maine Director of Engagement Katie Shorey said. “Today we know that in order to secure Maine’s future for all Mainers, we must draw focus to the ample and varied career options here, where people can grow their professional networks and find the job they want, as well as enjoy quality of life.”

The organization is scheduling Welcome Home events throughout Maine.

The Bar Harbor event will feature an introduction to eastern Maine’s Life Sciences and Technology Hub of Excellence.

Hubs of Excellence are a concept outlined in Maine’s Ten-Year Economic Development Plan, which defines them as areas with conditions present for strong economic growth, driven by talent and a convergence of research, higher learning, skilled workforce and business, and a livable, healthy space.

The Eastern Maine Hub was the first to be officially recognized as a collaborator on the strategic plan by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.

It’s expected the collaboration will provide tools and activities to connect talent, facilitate networking and build awareness in Maine and beyond of the region’s of facilities, opportunities, and talent engaged in life sciences and technology.

The eastern hub formalizes an existing life sciences and technology network that stretches from Orono and Bangor to Downeast Maine. The network includes over 60 companies, institutions and organizations with life sciences innovation and technology-based research, higher learning and commercial activities.

The hub’s advisory board includes leadership from the University of Maine, Downeast Institute, Maine Small Business Development Centers at Coastal Enterprises Inc. and Mount Desert 365.

“The hub will provide the means to create connections among R&D, education, entrepreneurship, and investment. It will provide networking and learning opportunities, and promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship,” said advisory board member Judy Sproule. “If promoted and managed deliberately, it can spark more collaboration, innovation, and economic development, and attract even more talent to the region.”

The state is facing a demographic challenge and needs to add 75,000 new workers by 2029, according to the organization.

Live + Work in Maine’s mission is to showcase Maine to young professionals.

The site of the event, College of the Atlantic’s new Davis Center for Human Ecology, embodies the use of technology in the built environment, constructed to a passive house standard of energy efficiency and indoor air quality and using locally sourced and nearly all-wood materials.

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