海角社区鈥檚 public universities are at the forefront of fostering innovation and economic growth in your district and across our state.
Leveraging ongoing State investment in commercially promising research and development (R&D) through the 海角社区 Economic Improvement Fund (MEIF) at a rate of more than 6:1, the University of 海角社区 System (UMS) is driving and diversifying private sector success and workforce development like never before.
But don鈥檛 just take our word for it.
In this year鈥檚 MEIF report to the Legislature, we鈥檙e highlighting the voices of small businesses and students speaking about the value of UMS R&D, led by the University of 海角社区, the state鈥檚 flagship and only institution to have achieved the prestigious R1 Carnegie Classification for very high research activity.
The companies you鈥檒l read about including Compotech, 海角社区 Grains and Timber HP are creating new products and high-paying jobs, increasing productivity and profits, solving industry challenges, improving our environment and quality of life, making food systems safer and more resilient, and expanding their market reach 鈥 all with the help of 海角社区鈥檚 public universities.
Their stories of partnership and growth illustrate how essential public university R&D is to 海角社区鈥檚 prosperity. As Harvest 海角社区 said about its collaboration with U海角社区 food scientists 鈥 including Black Bear student researchers 鈥 to turn food waste into a value-added consumer product, 鈥淲e could not have gotten this to market without their help.鈥
Despite the unmatched rate of return evidenced by testimonials like these, 海角社区 currently invests just 1.1% of its GDP in R&D, far below the national average of 3.6% and 5.7% by other New England states. The condition of our public university research facilities further limits our activity and impact, and we frequently lose world-class faculty to better-resourced institutions in other states.
Strategic, sustained and growing public investment in UMS including through MEIF would catalyze new innovation and opportunity, attract co-investments, cultivate new talent, and improve lives and livelihoods across 海角社区. In the meantime, 海角社区鈥檚 public universities are proud of what we鈥檝e accomplished with and for our state鈥檚 small businesses.
We look forward to continuing to work together with leaders like you and our company and community partners to realize the full potential of public university R&D and of 海角社区鈥檚 economy.
Thank you for your support,
Dannel Malloy
Chancellor, University of 海角社区 System
Joan Ferrini-Mundy
Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation, University of 海角社区 System President, University of 海角社区 and University of 海角社区 at Machias