TESTIMONY

LD 959 - Amending the Laws Governing the Maine Economic Improvement Fund

Senator Schneider, Representative Smith and Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Business, Research, and Economic Development.

Thank you for conducting this hearing and allowing me to speak on the issue of the Amending the Laws Governing the Maine Economic Improvement Fund. 

My name is Walt Elish and I am the Executive Administrator for Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development (LEAD).

LEAD was founded in 1986 by the business community to be the advocate for business development in Aroostook County.  Comprised of about 100 members from throughout the County, LEAD has been a tireless voice for Aroostook County over the years.   

I am here to speak in support of LD 959. 

LD 959 will ensure that the rural campuses of the University of Maine system have access to money from the Maine Economic Improvement Fund in order to advance their applied research efforts in the 7 key industry sectors long espoused by the state.

The fund has been in existence for ten years.  Its enabling legislation passed in 1997 created a permanent fund for applied R&D that’s to be "conducted by the University of Maine system, its member institutions, and its employees and students."  Over the ten year period, the fund provided over $116 million to the university of Maine "system."  This past year, the system set aside a "rural campus initiative" that allowed the smaller campuses to COMPETE for $100,000 and both UMPI and UMFK were beneficiaries of $15,000 and $25,000, respectively.  Over the ten year life of the program it my understanding that about .09% went to the rural areas and smaller campuses.

This bill "clarifies" the intent of the fund, and sets aside 3% from the total fund each year, and that 3% is then divided among and distributed to the smaller campuses that want it AND have demonstrated that they in fact have applied research going on.

Although we are not directly affiliated with either of the two universities in Aroostook County, LEAD understands the impact of increasing R&D funds can mean for UMPI, UMFK as well Aroostook County. The idea of being able to conduct applied research at rural institutions will enhance the communities in those regions as well as possibly assist in attracting quality faculty and students to our rural areas.  Doctoral qualified research faculty at the rural campuses, in additional to teaching and being community collaborators, may be looking for research opportunities to compliment their activity on campus and in the co0mmunity.  The benefit to the student is the he or she is then able to participate in research that provides valuable experience and a benefit to the local community.  LD 959 also has the added benefit of encouraging UM and USM to collaborate with good research faculty at the small more rural campuses.  Everyone gains in that regard. 

LEAD hopes that the concept of allocating 3% of the research funds for rural campuses, provided they meet specific criteria be approved and supported by this Committee.