May 22, 2006
Augusta, Maine Ñ Timothy Hodgdon, president of Hodgdon Yachts, was one of the featured speakers at Governor John Baldacci's Workforce Innovation Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant announcement at the statehouse April 24. The $15 million federal grant supports research & development, marketing, education and training programs in Maine. The program will be primarily aimed at the state's boatbuilding, composites and marine industries, according to Baldacci and representatives of the U.S. Department of Labor. "The WIRED grant will create quality jobs and keep the state's marine industries competitive in a global economy," said Baldacci. "In order for these industries to succeed, we must also have a trained and educated workforce in place," Baldacci added. Maine was one of only 12 states to take part in the $195 million WIRED initiative, and will be awarded $15 million over three years. The North Star Alliance, a partnership formed by Baldacci that includes Maine's Department of Labor, the Department of Economic and Community Development and the University of Maine, will oversee the administration of the WIRED grant. Input will be solicited from leading industry organizations, including the Maine Marine Trade Association, Maine Built Boats and the Maine Composites Alliance. Timothy Hodgdon, president of Hodgdon Yachts of East Boothbay, Maine, was a featured guest of the governor at the announcement. A founding member of Maine Built Boats, Hodgdon Yachts has been leading the high-tech charge in the state's boatbuilding industry. In 2004, the U.S. Navy awarded Hodgdon Yachts a $1 million contract to design the Navy SEALs' new Mk. V.1. The 80-foot high-speed special operations boat features a specially designed composite hull, and is being developed in partnership with the University of Maine's Advanced Engineered Wood Composites (AWEC) Laboratory. Development and testing of the Mk.V.1 prototype is in progress. During his remarks, Hodgdon acknowledged that demands within the boatbuilding market require the industry to be increasingly sophisticated and tech-savvy. "Our company's challenge Ñ and that of the industry as a whole Ñ is to keep pushing the envelope in a way that keeps us competitive and viable," said Hodgdon. Hodgdon noted that "very powerful business opportunities" could be developed with the WIRED grant by uniting the marine industry, various technology companies and the University of Maine. "The WIRED grant provides quality jobs for skillful individuals," said Hodgdon. Laura Fortman, commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor, agreed, saying that the WIRED grant will "provide numerous opportunities to Maine residents through job creation and economic growth." Also attending was Emily Stover DeRocco, assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. "Maine's proposal for the WIRED grant demonstrated ingenuity and a unique approach to support a 400-year-old boatbuilding tradition and grow an emerging industry," said DeRocco. Added Hodgdon, "Bringing the individual players together to form this collective group...it's pretty compelling."