WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Representative Bruce Poliquin, attended and delivered remarks at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Union River Center for Innovation and the groundbreaking ceremony for Jackson Laboratory’s Ellsworth Vivarium this afternoon.
 
“The city of Ellsworth is truly the ‘The Gateway to Opportunity,’” said Senator Collins. “The Union River Center for Innovation will help to nurture entrepreneurship and successful small-businesses, create jobs in the bio-sciences and other cutting-edge technologies, and help contribute to a future full of promise. Jackson Labs’ new Ellsworth Vivarium will help enable this cutting edge research facility to pursue their mission of improving the quality of human life. Today’s exciting celebrations in this vibrant city were truly indicative of the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and hard work that pervade this community.”
 
“Innovation is the key to growing our economy, creating jobs, and building a brighter future for our state. And with these two new facilities, the City of Ellsworth will continue to build on its strong reputation as a major hub for research that will help spur amazing new innovations – innovations that will improve lives, open new doors of opportunities, and change the world for the better,” Senator King said. “It was an honor to celebrate the Union River Center for Innovation and Jackson Lab’s Ellsworth Vivarium today. This is an exciting time for Ellsworth and for the entire region, and I know that we can expect great things from these endeavors and the dedicated Maine people and businesses who have made them possible.”
 
“Today’s ceremonies at the Union River Center for Innovation and at Jackson Laboratory’s new Ellsworth Vivarium are indications of a strong and expansive future for economic growth and opportunity in Hancock County,” said Congressman Poliquin.  “The new Union River Center for Innovation will serve as a catalyst for business growth in multiple fields for the Ellsworth community and I am excited for the developments to come there.  In addition, I salute all 1,700 employees at Jackson Labs for their incredible work every day to improve the quality of life for those suffering from diseases, including many brought on by aging, and I applaud the opening of the new vivarium to provide for 230 new jobs and allow the institution to continue to be a global leader in medical innovation.”

The Union River Center for Innovation is a business incubator that will give new or emerging businesses a physical space in which to operate.  The facility will be run as a partnership between the city and the Ellsworth Business Development Corp.
 
Construction is set to begin on the Jackson Laboratory’s Ellsworth Vivarium, a next-generation production space that will enable Jackson Labs to remain competitive and to grow as the global leader in research mouse production. The vivarium will create 230 jobs in Ellsworth and increase research and education initiatives at the Bar Harbor campus. Jackson Labs has received a $1.74 million pilot grant from the Maine Technology Institute and a $1.82 million Structural Improvement Grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to help fund the construction of the facility.

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