Consistent with the opportunities identified by FOR/Maine, this project will build and equip the Forest Biomaterials Innovation Center, a 7,500-square-foot research facility that will be an extension of the existing University of Maine Process Development Center innovation. There, researchers and entrepreneurs are developing new, forest-based products to transition their ideas from the lab bench to pilot scale. A pilot-scale demonstration is needed to commercialize new technologies. The lack of such facilities hinders the development of new markets for wood and wood residuals and thus jobs and economic opportunity for Maine’s forest economy and dependent rural communities. Funding of $7 million is through FY24 Congressional Directed Spending secured by U.S. Sens. Collins and King at the request of UMS. The selection process for a design firm is underway. Programming is anticipated to start this summer with design commencing approximately next spring. Construction is anticipated to start  in the spring of 2027.