Economic development

BREWER – After reviewing 22 applications, city leaders hired Tanya Pereira of Hampden to be the new economic development specialist for Brewer.

Pereira will begin in Brewer the first week in April. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., where she graduated with honors. She is a member of boards and organizations in the region, and is co-chairwoman of Fusion: Bangor, a relatively new social network for those under age 40.

Technology seed grants

ORONO – Two Orono companies are among 20 recipients of the most recent seed grants to technology companies by the Maine Technology Institute board of directors. More than $178,000 was awarded, leveraging more than $240,000 from other sources. Eleven of the 20 are new award winners.

Companies funded by MTI are bringing new products to U.S. and global markets, creating jobs faster with higher wages than the average Maine company.

MTI seed grants range from $1,000 to $10,000 per project and are offered on a competitive basis to support early activities for product development, commercialization or business planning and development.

Each seed grant requires a 1-to-1 match consisting of actual cash, salaries, staff time or equipment directly attributable to the proposed project. The deadline for the next round of grants is April 13. Information about seed grants is available at www.mainetechnology.org./

Area seed grants awarded:

Aquaculture and Marine Technology

. Mainely Sensors in Orono will determine the feasibility of developing a hand-held optical sensor for measuring hemocyanin in lobster blood. Hemocyanin concentration is a measure of lobster vitality and will allow dealers, buyers, processors and others to make marketing decisions regarding a lobster’s ability to survive storage and-or shipping.

Information Technology

. Finasys II LLC in Orono will pursue licensing, patent, copyright and trademark protection of its WebBarrister, using the Maine Patent Program as well as the services of law firms in Maine.