Governor Leads Rally for Bonds that Advance Maine Research and Development Initiatives

Governor Leads Rally for Bonds that Advance Maine Research and Development Initiatives

BIDDEFORD - Governor John Baldacci and leading members of Maine's biomedical research institutions joined today to rally in support of bonds that will advance Maine's innovation based economy. The event at Biddeford's University of New England campus highlighted bonding for $8 million to support Maine's premier biomedical research institutions, as well as $12 million in other research & development and economic development initiatives in Question 4, the jobs and economic development bond on November's ballot.

The University of New England School of Osteopathic Medicine is one of the biomedical research institutions in the state that will benefit if the bond package is approved by the state's voters on November 8. Other eligible Maine biomedical research institutions include the Foundation for Blood Research (Scarborough), Maine Medical Center Research Institute (Scarborough), Mt. Desert Island Biological Laboratory (Salisbury Cove), The Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor), and affiliate Eastern Maine Health Care (Bangor).

Said the Governor, "Last week I had an event to highlight the Marine R&D components of Question Four. I'm glad that UNE also provides leadership in the future of Maine's ocean-based heritage and economy through their Marine research."

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's budgets have provided a 40% 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."

Specifically, the jobs and economic development bond (Question 4) contains $8 million earmarked for the Biomedical Research Fund for investments in equipment and facilities in biomedical research. The funds support the infrastructure and equipment needed for Maine's world class biomedical research institution to compete for federal research dollars.

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."

In total, the $83 million bond package is expected to yield more than $200 million in matching and leveraged funds from federal and private sources. The Governor said these investments will generate more opportunities for Maine citizens, making the state a better place to work, live and do business.

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