Maine Technology Institute celebrates 25 years of investments
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The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) is a unique public-private partnership whose core mission is to encourage, promote, stimulate, and support innovation and its transformation into new products, services, and companies. MTI offers grants, loans, equity investments, and services to businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs to support Maine’s innovation economy.
As a key part of the state’s economic development strategy, MTI is a significant driver in expanding research and development to create new innovative ventures. Since its founding in 1999, MTI has distributed nearly $372 million via a variety of programs to more than 4,000 projects throughout the state of Maine. Here are a few examples of Maine companies we have recently supported.
For more information visit mainetechnology.org. Courtesy photos unless otherwise specified.
ZERO ENERGY HOMES
Mount Desert—based co-op Zero Energy Homes builds modular net-zero homes, partnering with BrightBuilt Home, Maker Construction, O’C Project Management, and Fritz Architectural Design on design and construction. The company aims to price their high-performance houses for the affordable housing market through increased efficiencies and bulk pricing made possible by offsite construction processes. They are also exploring ways to incorporate technologies such as robotics, 3D printing and bio-based materials into their manufacturing process. To further reduce emissions, Zero Energy Homes sources at least 80% of materials locally from Maine and regional markets. Future plans include establishing a manufacturing facility in Maine which can produce 50–60 houses per year. Visit their demonstration home in Searsport.
WHOLE TREES LLC
WholeTrees engineers structural systems using whole round tree trunks rather than standard planks and beams. Their Northern Maine manufacturing plant is located in Ashland and works with local species such as Eastern cedar, sugar maple, juniper, spruce, white pine and hemlock. The company’s goal is to streamline the use of Solid Structural Timber products in the built environment by leveraging proprietary technology, tools and a nationwide network of carbon-smart forest partnerships for otherwise low-value small-diameter trees. WholeTrees products have been used in museums, schools, event spaces and more. The products qualify for up to 8 LEED v4 credits; other certifications include a Red List Free Declare Label from the International Living Future Institute, established Environmental Product Declaration Values and the potential for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.
Cinder Wood Products
Cinder Wood Products, based in Hancock, offers a range of Japanese-style charred wood (Shou Sugi Ban) for both interior and exterior siding. Cinder Wood Products are created using the centuries-old Japanese technique that chars the surface of the wood to preserve it naturally. In addition to creating a unique dark patina, the process increases the material’s durability and resistance to water, rot, fire and pests without the need for chemical treatments. Cinder Wood Products are available in standard lumber dimensions; they specialize in shiplap (Tight Join and Nickel Gap) and square edge tongue and groove profiles. The company offers products in Eastern pine, Western hemlock, cypress, Douglas fir and FSC-certified Accoya. (radiata pine).
energy circle
Energy Circle provides website and digital marketing services exclusively for the high-performance building industry. As a certified B Corporation, the agency’s mission is to support businesses decarbonizing the built environment and advancing energy efficiency. Their more than 400 clients across 50 states include HVAC, solar and home performance contractors and organizations that support them. Energy Circle builds its industry expertise to provide search engine optimization, paid advertising and custom websites tailored to the clean energy sector. Energy Circle founder and CEO Peter Troast is a regular speaker at regional and national conferences and events, and the company provides a long-running webinar series, newsletter and library of free online resources to further support the industry.
island institute
For Maine’s marine industry, diesel fuel represents the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. That’s why the Island Institute has launched an initiative to move the industry toward clean electric propulsion technology. Initial challenges included limited availability of electric outboard motor technology and needing to build awareness among marine businesses. MTI funding helped the Island Institute launch educational electric boat demonstrations, create an infrastructure report assessing grid readiness, and support workforce upskilling initiatives in partnership with the Maine Community College System. Together, these initiatives have helped build interest among marine businesses and support deployment of 28 electric outboards, avoiding 1,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide and creating lifetime savings of $672,000 for the 28 boats.
