Maine’s first dairy digester turns cow manure into renewable natural gas

(From Maine Public) MTI portfolio company, Peaks Renewables, is up and running in Clinton. As Maine's first dairy digester, the company captures methane gas that's normally released into the atmosphere from manure and converts it into gas which can be used for heating, cooking and other purposes. Peaks estimates the project's environmental impact will be equivalent to taking 6,500 cars off the road for every year it's in operation. Read more »

Mills Directs $6.5 Million of COVID-Era Funds to Maine Electrical Grid Upgrades, Favoring ‘Minority and Ethnically Diverse’ Business Owners

(From Maine Wire) As part of the American Rescue Plan Act, a $6.5M Electrical Grid Upgrade Program (EGUP) will award grants to fund electric grid upgrades for businesses with a focus toward rural and energy-intensive industries. Through a competitive process, MTI will administer the grant program, and will emphasize industries such as agriculture and food processing, seafood harvesting, forestry, manufacturing, and housing. Read more »

Dirigo Labs’ Better Maine Conference planned Oct. 5 in Waterville

(From centralmaine.com) Dirigo Labs is partnering with the Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship to host the 2023 Better Maine Conference. The conference will focus on “Growing a Diverse Workforce” and will bring together business leaders, policymakers and workforce development professionals from across the state. MTI is pleased to be an Event Sponsor. Read more »

Friday Food Insider Notebook: awards, apples, coffee and closings

(From Mainebiz) Bixby Chocolate, a maker of organic chocolate bars, won three prestigious International Chocolate Awards. The esteemed awards are presented annually by the International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting. The Rockland-based company received support from MTI for early-stage research and development. Read more »

Maine seaweed farming conference promotes sustainable growth

(From Sun Journal) Over 300 people recently attended "Seagriculture USA." The two-day International Seaweed Conference featured presentations by global leaders in seaweed innovation exploring its production and various uses. Exclusive Event Sponsor, MTI, invests in Maine's seaweed economy. MTI's President, Brian Whitney stated, “Maine is already a leader in kelp farming and well-positioned to be at the forefront of advanced processing of seaweed.” Read more »

Biddeford seaweed producer Ocean’s Balance partners with New Brunswick supplier

(From Mainebiz) Ocean’s Balance, a producer of edible seaweed products, has partnered with Aqua Veggies Ltd. of Grand Manan, New Brunswick, a large-scale supplier of seaweed for raw food distributors, vitamin manufacturers, pet food manufacturers and retailers. The goal for Ocean’s Balance is to expand its product offerings. MTI provided the Biddeford-based company with early-stage support. Read more »