The Maine Mass Timber Commercialization Center (MMTCC) was founded in 2017 in direct response to a 2017 Department of Commerce federal interagency Economic Development Assessment Team (EDAT) report on the Maine forest-based economy, specifically Priority “E” of the EDAT report stating: “Invest in the research, development and commercialization of emerging wood technologies”. In particular, the EDAT report singled out the unique opportunity that exists for development of Mass Timber (e.g. cross laminated timber) production in Maine:
“Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) research at the University of Maine is linked to several potential manufacturing facilities seeking east coast locations. Immediately form a collaboration of appropriate parties to promote the siting of a CLT facility in Maine and identify recommendations to incentivize wider use of CLT and possible demonstration projects.”
Through the recommendations of the EDAT, MMTCC was established through a grant with the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Based at the University of Maine, the MMTTC works in collaboration with industrial partners, trade organizations, construction firms, architects, and other stakeholders in the region to support the revitalization and diversification of Maine’s forest-based economy by means of encouraging innovative mass timber manufacturing in the State of Maine. Through science-based research and development at the University of Maine, the MMTCC is actively involved in exploring new applications and design practices for mass timber, with extensive regional outreach activities to increase awareness of mass timber technologies and practices throughout the Northeastern U.S. with architects, engineers, building contractors, investors, legislatures and fire/code officials to increase product demand and adoption.