PORTLAND, Maine - Ocean-related businesses in Maine are teaming up with an Icelandic entrepreneur to establish a so-called "cluster" - or business incubator - on Portland's waterfront. The aim is to grow the local economy and commercialize new maritime products and services.
Gov. Paul LePage joined Portland city officials and business representatives Thursday morning to make the announcement. The New England Cluster, as it's called, is to be based on an existing model in Reykjavik called the Iceland Ocean Cluster that's attracted more than 30 local companies in a so-called "cluster house," where they can collaborate and grow their businesses.
It was set up three years ago by Icelandic businessman Thor Sigfusson, who's hopeful the New England venture will grow in a similar way and attract some exciting local entrepreneurs. "I hope that our collaboration is going to lead to interesting new ideas and hopefully a creative environment and brilliant opportunities for young people in this area," Sigfusson said.
City officials say in addition to fishing and aquaculture, the New England Cluster will focus on industries like food processing, boat building, energy production and pharmaceuticals.
Patrick Arnold is playing a key role in getting the New England cluster up and running. He's president and founder of Soli DG, a Portland-based maritime services company. "There's a lot of great things happening in the state of Maine right now, great cluster opportunities, great companies, great research happening in our universities," Arnold says. "This is focused on tying everything together and commercializing products just as quickly as we can."
Arnold says eight Maine businesses have already signed on to the New England cluster, and he hopes to get another dozen on board soon. The immediate goal, he says, is to find a 30,000-square-foot location - with room for expansion - on Portland's waterfront where the new cluster can he housed.
Portland Mayor Michael Brennan says the city is in active negotiations with the governor's office and others to find a suitable site.