| Environmental
and energy technology groups merge
Environmental and Energy Technology Council of Maine
March 11, 2003
SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine - Two of Maine's environmental
and energy technology organizations are joining forces
to advance job growth, research and development, and
new product commercialization within their industry.
The
Environmental Business Council of Maine (EBCM) and
the Maine Environment & Energy Technology Center
(Maine E2 Center) are combining to create the Environmental & Energy
Technology Council of Maine (E2 Tech Council). The
new organization will service an industry sector that
includes more than 200 companies and non-profit organizations
employing approximately 4,000 workers.
A two-year Cluster Enhancement Grant provided by the
Maine Technology Institute (MTI) is supporting the
new organization's start-up effort, with additional
cash and in-kind support donated by the Maine State
Chamber of Commerce and by approximately one-dozen
other companies, organizations and agencies.
MTI's support indicates the importance of having a
strong industry association as a catalyst for innovation
and new product commercialization, said Willard Warren,
who has been serving as president of the EBCM.
"This merger is a very healthy step for the Maine
economy," Warren said. "Individually, the
Maine E2 Center and our organization have had a limited
capability to fully serve the expanding list of Maine
firms researching and commercializing environmental
and energy technologies. Together, as the E2 Tech Council,
we can draw on more resources and forge more partnerships
that will ultimately mean more jobs and opportunities
for Maine."
Environmental and energy technology is one of seven
economic sectors targeted for growth and assistance
within the state. The E2 Tech Council will provide
information about state and federal early stage financing
programs, university research partnerships, and business
incubation and technical assistance programs.
The Council will also provide improved communications
and networking opportunities for Maine environmental
and energy technology companies, entrepreneurs, and
educational and conservation institutions. An example
of this activity is the bimonthly Forum series, which
EBCM has been sponsoring for the last two years.
Serving
on the new Council's interim board of directors are
Norm Gridley, Wright-Pierce (chair); Peter Arnold,
Chewonki Foundation; Jim Atwell, Sevee and Maher Engineers;
Ron Dyer, Maine Department of Environmental Protection;
Chet Rock, University of Maine; Terry Shehata, Maine
MEP Management Services; and, Jeffrey Thaler, Bernstein
Shur Sawyer & Nelson.
The Center for Environmental Enterprise at Southern
Maine Technical College is hosting the new organization,
with John Ferland, president of CEE, serving as interim
executive director.
The environmental and energy technology industry in
Maine includes organizations from 10 subsectors: analytical
services, consulting and engineering, energy production,
non profit conservation and educational institutions,
instruments and information systems, process and prevention
technology, remediation and industrial services, resource
recovery, waste management, and treatment and water
equipment.
If you are interested in more information on the new
organization or if you wish to participate in the new
programs, contact John Ferland at (207) 767-4302 or
John.Ferland@ceemaine.org. |
