MTI seeks partner to stand up Portland wet‑lab incubator with $2.75 million in seed grants

MTI presented a plan to use $2,750,000 in seed funding to create a life‑science wet‑lab incubator in the Portland area, using a $2,000,000 one‑time DECD ARPA allocation plus $750,000 from MTI. The program would be awarded to a qualified partner via an RFP process.

Matt Hoffner, presenting for MTI, described a wet‑lab incubator as a co‑working model that combines shared, fully equipped laboratory benches and specialty equipment with office and meeting space. He said his recent site visit to a Boston/Somerville facility showed capital costs for a class‑A build‑out can exceed $10,000,000 and occupy roughly 30,000 square feet; MTI’s seed would be intended to make a smaller, Maine‑scaled site feasible.

MTI plans to solicit input from established wet‑lab operators and Maine bioscience organizations to design the RFP. Hoffner said he identified the top five U.S. wet‑lab operators and will reach out to them and to 12–14 Maine bioscience organizations for RFP input. MTI expects to issue an RFP, select a partner by the third quarter of this year, and — contingent on site identification and contracting — a 9–12 month construction/fit‑out could put a facility online in the third quarter of next year.

During the discussion MXG participants raised questions about market demand and location. One attendee said some Boston operators indicated they would be willing to relocate or expand to Maine; Hoffner cited a Boston operator survey where about 50% of firms on a waiting list said they would move to Maine if a suitable facility existed. Participants suggested that Portland’s amenities were the strongest draw and that Brunswick Landing or an existing research campus might be considered by bidders.

Hoffner also noted operational requirements observed at other facilities: dedicated staff (equipment/materials management and environmental health oversight), procurement and inventory services, and waste management systems. MTI emphasized the grant is a one‑time capital seed and that a prospective partner would likely need further private investment to reach the full capital scale of some comparable U.S. facilities.

MTI asked MXG members for input on the RFP and said it will share contact information for follow‑up.