Earlier this month the Legislature voted to send a bond proposal to the voters seeking authorization for $50 million to help research and development firms in Maine to invest in infrastructure, equipment and technology upgrades. The bill was signed by Governor Le Page on April 15. If approved by voters, the bond will provide $45 million to the Maine Technology Asset Fund, which is managed by the Maine Technology Institute and provides businesses with funding for capital expenditures like buildings and large machinery, and $5 million to the Maine Venture Fund, which provides venture capital to promising Maine startups. Read full article