Mainebiz

V O L . X X V I N O. I I JA N UA R Y 2 7 , 2 0 2 0 6 Trade deal gives hope to lobster industry A new trade deal signed by the United States and China includes a provision expected to benefit Maine's lobster industry. As a pos- sible truce in the ongoing tariff dispute between the two countries, the deal includes purchase agree- ments committing China to buy more American goods and services in a variety of sectors. e Maine Lobster Dealers' Association lauded the inclusion of the state's most profitable marine species in the deal. "e Chinese retaliatory tariffs have placed Maine lobster exporters at a disadvantage in that mar- ket for 18 months, in which time Canada became the major player in that market," said Annie Tselikis, executive director of the Maine Lobster Dealers' Association. Dave Sullivan, representing the Maine Lobstering Union, said the agree- ment will help reopen markets to keep Maine companies competitive with Canada. In 2018, President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on up to $50 billion worth of Chinese goods. In turn, China imposed a 25% tariff on a host of imported U.S. products, including lobsters. e trade war came just as a 2017 agreement between Canada and the European Union, which cut tariffs on imports of Canadian lobsters, was giving Canada's lobster indus- try an edge over Maine's. State boosts incentive to use heat pumps Maine has doubled the amount of its rebate program for homeown- ers that install high-performance heat pumps, a move that's not only about climate action, but also about creating jobs, boosting the state's economy and saving money on heat bills, Gov. Janet Mills said Jan. 14. e rebate hike is part of Mills "100,000 heat pumps initiative," which became law last year and is designed to ease the state's depen- dence on fossil fuels, particularly oil. It aims to have 100,000 homes using heat pumps by 2025. e rebates, which took effect Jan. 1, are aimed at making it easier and more afford- able for people who heat with oil or propane to install high-performance heat pumps. Former Portland Science Center space will get new life B y R e n e e C o r d e s P o r t l a n d — Nearly two years after the Portland Science Center ended its run on the waterfront, a new tenant is prepar- ing to splash down, on the second floor of 68 Commercial St. The New England Ocean Cluster, a member-based, marine- focused consultancy, business incubator and accelerator, is targeting a March 18 opening for the "Hus" (Icelandic for house, or building) in the renovated, 8,500-square-foot second-floor space. Billed as a collaborative, blue-economy workspace, the facility will house 20 offices, including two for Ocean Cluster staff; 16 permanent workstations for students, entrepre- neurs and growing companies, an executive boardroom with a wraparound balcony; two breakout rooms; a presentation space; and a large kitchenette and dining area. Like the affiliated Ocean Cluster House in Reykjavik, Iceland, there will also be a coffee machine on the premises. "We want to draw in presidents of banks and fishermen, biomedical entities, cosmetic entities, engineers, venture capitalists, artists," Patrick Arnold, co-founder and CEO of the New England Ocean Cluster, told Mainebiz, likening the organization's new anchor to a restaurant-grade kitchen for business innovation. "Once you have that kitchen," he added, "it's important to have the right ingredients — businesses and entrepreneurs that are interested in developing new products, new lines of revenue in ocean-related ways that are fully environmentally sustainable." U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, who toured the Portland facility recently, is already a fan. "I've visited the original Ocean Cluster House in Iceland and seen firsthand the benefits that come when you put entrepreneurial people under one roof to share ideas," he told Mainebiz via email. "Given Maine's vast ocean resources, we are well-positioned to apply this model to our state and build a sustainable 'blue economy.'" He added: "The leadership of the folks at the Ocean Cluster House are helping make this possibility a reality. Their work will help create good, sustainable jobs that support our economy and our environment — a win-win worth celebrating." The upcoming move follows a lengthy renovation by the building's owner and tenant, fintech entrepreneur Steve Goodrich, and more than five years after Arnold founded the New England Ocean Cluster with Thor Sigfusson, founder and chairman of the Iceland Ocean Cluster. Financial details about the Portland renovation and rental cost for the group were not immediately available. But Arnold said that they had already secured eight letters of intent for offices at the new space that are being converted into leases. There will also be collaborative workspace and facilities for events, workshops and meetings. Chris Cary, New England Ocean Cluster's chief operating and marketing officer, elaborated on the notion of a collabora- tive workspace and how it differs from a co-working model. "We're connecting people so they can work with one another in some way that is connected with the ocean," Cary said. "You don't have to work in the ocean industry yet, but you have to have a vested interest in it to get the most out of this space." B U S I N E S S M A I N E Business news from around the state S T A T E W I D E B R I E F P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY P H O T O / P E T E R VA N A L L E N New England Ocean Cluster will take over 8,500 square feet in the former Portland Science Center building on Portland's waterfront. Patrick Arnold, left, co-founder and CEO of the New England Ocean Cluster, and chief operating and marketing officer Chris Cary have big plans for the future Ocean Cluster House, set to open in Portland on March 18 at 68 Commercial St. We're connecting people so they can work with one another in some way that is connected to the ocean. — Chris Cary New England Ocean Cluster

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