Maine’s Targeted Technology Sectors and Clusters

Technology sectors and clusters are drivers of regional economic development. Interactions between businesses, suppliers, customers, research and development organizations, colleges and universities and trade associations strengthen the economy. Knowledge and skills held by individuals in all of these organizations contribute to the strength of the clusters, especially when they are in geographic proximity. And entrepreneurship links research and innovation to the market, making clusters more successful.

The State of Maine makes investments in innovation capacity that build on these core competencies and market opportunities as described by existing and emerging high-potential clusters within the seven targeted technology sectors, while recognizing that many promising opportunities continue to emerge at the intersections of these sectors.

In 1999, the Legislature named seven targeted technology sectors for Maine {5 MRSA c.407 §153010). These are:

• Biotechnology, including biomedical;
• Composites and advanced materials;
• Environment and energy including renewable energy and other clean technologies;
• Forest products and agriculture, emphasizing products that are value-added;
• Information technology and communications;
• Manufacturing technology (previously Precision manufacturing) including semiconductor manufacturing, other electronics, aerospace and any other high-value-added manufacturing activities; and
• Marine technology and aquaculture.

For more information, see the 2008 study of Maine’s Targeted Technology Sectors and Clusters (PDF). Requires the free Adobe Reader software.