POLAND – Jones Associates Inc. received a Maine Technology Institute seed grant recently.

The company will evaluate the feasibility of a wood pellet producing mill in southern Maine. This study will determine the availability of raw materials, specifically recycled wood products and low quality round wood. Nontraditional markets will also be evaluated to further the Northeast’s energy independence.

MTI seed grants range from $1,000 to $10,000 per project and are offered on a competitive basis to support early activities for product development, commercialization or business planning and development. A company may only be awarded up to $25,000 in seed grants for a specific project.

Each seed grant requires a 1:1 match consisting of actual cash, salaries, staff time or equipment directly attributable to the proposed project. Seed grants are awarded six times each year. The application deadline for the next round of grants is April 13. Information about seed grants is available at http://www.mainetechnology.org./