Sen. Tepler applauds research and development investments in Senate District 24
AUGUSTA — Today, Sen. Denise Tepler, D-Topsham, celebrated $5,140,000 of research and development awards and private sector matching funds to businesses in Senate District 24, recently announced by Gov. Janet Mills and the Maine Technology Institute (MTI). Investments in Even Keel Inc. in Woolwich, FHC inc. in Bowdoin and the Kennebec River Biosciences in Richmond will help grow the area’s economy, support local jobs and make Maine more competitive on the global stage.
“I’m so glad to see such substantial investments being made in our corner of the Midcoast,” said Sen. Tepler. “The companies receiving these investments are innovative leaders in their respective fields. I’m very excited to see what they will be able to accomplish with these investments.”
The awards were made possible by the voter-approved, $25 million research and development bond measure placed on the ballot by the Maine Legislature in 2024. This year, 23 awards were made across nine counties, creating 1,233 jobs, supporting 2,718 current jobs and unlocking over $700 million in private sector matching funds.
MTI’s summaries of awards in Senate District 24 follow.
Even Keep Inc. in Woolwich is being awarded $300,000 from the Research and Development Bond with an additional $300,000 in matched private funding.
This funding will expand Maine’s leadership in sustainable composite manufacturing through Even Keel’s Woolwich-based production of EDUTA — a high-performance composite panel made from up to 100% recycled PET. The initiative strengthens Maine’s circular economy, drives new job creation in advanced manufacturing and deepens partnerships with local suppliers and trades. National and statewide access to EDURA continues to grow through distributors and locally with Hamilton Marine, the first Maine-based distributor. Increased production capacity will support major customers, including CLYNK, Safe Harbor Marinas, Wasted Off Grid and OpBox, while enabling national and international expansion. The project positions Maine as a leader in sustainable, next generation materials.
FHC Inc. in Bowdoin is receiving $120,000 from the Research and Development Bond and an additional $120,000 in matched private funding.
FHC is a Maine-based medical device manufacturer that serves global neurosurgery and research markets. This funding will help modernize and enhance its manufacturing capabilities by acquiring a CNC machine and a digital height gauge. In doing so, FHC will improve inspection efficiency, reduce lead times and bring outsourced machining in-house, which will support job creation and cost savings. This will aid FHC’s goal of staying at the forefront of innovation in brain sciences. Successful implementation of this project will lead to high quality products, improved customer satisfaction, operational resilience and increased competitiveness in this industry.
Kennebec River Biosciences (KRB) in Richmond is receiving $800,000 from the Research and Development Bond with an additional $3,500,000 in matched private funding.
KRB, respected globally as a laboratory for aquatic animal health, will be receiving funds to meet growing demand for their innovative, custom veterinary vaccines. KRB plans to renovate and equip a new facility in Brunswick, while retaining its Richmond-based lab. The new plant will quadruple capacity and improve margins, biosecurity, quality and process. This scaling up will also allow KRB to satisfy demand for a fully customized, always adjustable vaccine made in Maine. This process will add numerous jobs at KRB and will help more Maine finfish farmers, creating secondary jobs in rural areas.
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