RUMFORD – The state came through.
In the newly adopted biennial state budget is $210,000 for each of the next two years that will ensure further research into the possible establishment of a Fractionation Development Center for the River Valley.
Fractionation is a process that could convert waste wood into a variety of chemicals that could be used in fuels, cosmetics and many other products.
Scott Christiansen, director of the center, said last week that without the state funding, the project he has been working on for more than 18 months would likely end next month. He is on vacation this week and could not be reached for comment.
Jack Cashman, commissioner of the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development, said Wednesday that the River Valley’s proposal beat out at least three or four other proposals using similar technology. The money will be funneled to the River Valley center through the DECD’s Office of Innovation.
“They were competing with many others for very little money,” he said. “Our interest in Maine is that we are on the cutting edge so the forest products industry can benefit.”
Sen. Bruce Bryant, D-Oxford, was instrumental in getting the grant, added Cashman. He, along with Rep. Randy Hotham, R-Dixfield, and Rep. John Patrick, D-Rumford, have worked for more than a year to get the bill passed.
“This allows a management team to be paid as they create the FDC,” Bryant said Tuesday.
Christiansen had been successful is getting federal and state funding so that the center could begin to try to partner with potential technology firms or research companies for the development of the center.
The $420,000 will be used to fund the equivalent of 2 positions for the next two years. The staff of the fractionation center will then be able to go after grants and companies that might market products originating from fractionation center research, Bryant said. Staff will also continue to try to get federal funds to build a fractionation center. Right now, the center, which is a spin-off from the River Valley Growth Council and the River Valley Technology Center, is being considered for placement on the fourth floor of the downtown technology center.
“Without that money, the FDC would go away,” he added.
Christiansen has estimated that hundreds of jobs could be created in the River Valley area if the fractionation project is completed.
“It’s a done deal,” Cashman said.
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