USM | Portland

Cosakita18 · Aug 29, 2024

It looks like USM is really investing in their new graduate center in the Old Port by leasing almost the entirety of the former CIEE building. They now have almost 170,000 SF of space in that building and have the option to purchase. It seems like they’re also investing quite a bit in renovating and refurbishing the interior of the building to fit its new purpose.

“The goal of the Maine Center expansion is to create a "world-class interdisciplinary graduate center and innovation hub…
The expanded center would support four functions, according to the presentation:

Core interdisciplinary graduate degrees and programs, comprising the three schools and offerings from the University of Maine College of Engineering and Computing;
Professional development and executive education, responding to needs from Maine industries, the workforce and business leaders;
Entrepreneurship and innovation, providing resources to advance research, development, product commercialization and ultimately economic development
Convening and knowledge-sharing, through hosting events, scholars, leaders and others to address Maine's challenges”

UMS grad school center in Portland's Old Port plans to expand next door, doubling space

The still-new home to the University of Maine School of Law in Portland may soon expand to a newer home next door, and the process is already underway.

www.mainebiz.biz

nomc · Aug 29, 2024

What does the city/county/state need to do (continue to do?) to support students - particularly in entrepreneurship and innovation - after they graduate? Between this and Roux, it would be nice to have an environment where graduate, create, and build businesses in the area. I know there is a lack of industrial space, stuff that could be used for developing, manufacturing, warehousing. Will there be enough office space?

markhb · Aug 29, 2024

nomc said:
What does the city/county/state need to do (continue to do?) to support students - particularly in entrepreneurship and innovation - after they graduate? Between this and Roux, it would be nice to have an environment where graduate, create, and build businesses in the area. I know there is a lack of industrial space, stuff that could be used for developing, manufacturing, warehousing. Will there be enough office space?

It would be the state; the city has few resources other than TIF districts and possibly acting as a conduit for Washington money, and the county is rarely a relevant level of government for anything in New England.