Recently, when the University of Maine’s Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center delivered its protective composite shields to the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, it represented increased safety for military men and women in harm’s way, and it demonstrated the creativity and tenacity of UMaine’s research and development team. In the Maine tradition, the shields were delivered in half the estimated time, at half the cost. Specifically, the two-year schedule and $1 million budget were cut by half in the project’s first stage.

“Innovation” and “economy” are two excellent words to describe this achievement, an excellent example of the unlimited potential of Maine’s people.

This engineering accomplishment and efficient use of resources could not have been achieved without state, federal and other support for the university’s research and development work. Since 1996, Maine has invested almost $300 million in R&D with almost half going to the state’s universities, supporting research at UMaine in Orono and the University of Southern Maine.

The return on that investment has been remarkable. Last year alone, researchers leveraged the state’s $8 million Maine Economic Improvement Fund investment into 286 federal research awards totaling more than $40 million. Those funds led to the creation of two research-based spinoff companies, creating the good jobs that are critical to Maine’s future. Additionally, the increased research capacity supports existing companies and develops an educated, technically skilled work force.

State investments have been critical to these excellent results and must remain consistent just to keep Maine on the same playing field as other states and international competitors. Despite all of our R&D accomplishments and support, Maine’s universities still lag in R&D investments when compared on a national level.

The state’s current level of support for R&D at the university level falls short of national and New England averages. The good news is that while Maine ranks at or near the bottom in every measure of state R&D funding, we do more with less. New national rankings show that Maine ranks first among the states in spinoff businesses created, per dollar of state investment in university R&D. Virtually all of this business development activity occurs at the University of Maine, and it is producing concrete improvements in our state’s economy, meaning more Maine kids stay home to do challenging work with good wages.

Maine is making progress but the state cannot waver on its investment in the people who make up the innovation economy and its support of university R&D. Universities and colleges supply the knowledge and perspectives that drive innovation. In our state, they also create quality jobs that help retain Maine’s graduates, provide R&D and technical support for local businesses and help Maine companies compete in the international market.

For example, UMaine’s AEWC Center is partnering with Maine boat building companies on composites R&D to boost that traditional industry in our state. The world-renowned Hinckley Co. in Trenton is using two grants from the Maine Technology Institute to work with AEWC to optimize the design of resin-infused composite laminates used in the production of boat hulls and deck parts. This technology will enhance the quality of Hinckley boats, increase their value and improve their marketability in the global economy, keeping Hinckley competitive and quality manufacturing jobs in Maine.

A product to reduce heat loss through windows, developed by Window Cozies in Millinocket, is using MTI funding to test its thermal window covers at UMaine. The research will allow for prototype refinement and provide technical data for the company’s marketing plan as it goes head to head against global competition.

This is all great news for Maine businesses, academic institutions and working people, but more must be done to maintain and accelerate the state’s R&D momentum. Funds are required to develop more breadth and depth in our university research programs in order for Maine to stay competitive on a global level, attract great minds to its innovation economy and keep Maine’s young people at home.

The state’s investments have been essential to UMaine’s growth and vital to increasing research capacity and contributing to an educated and trained work force. Gov. Baldacci’s recent R&D bond proposal and other similar initiatives before the legislature would continue the state’s investment in the innovation economy and provide support for R&D at the university level. Maintaining an aggressive R&D funding path for the state is the key to keeping Maine competitive and relevant in the global economy.

As a state, we undertake many expenditures of public funds without the ability to calculate a return on investment, or the true value to the current or next generation. Fortunately, in this case, the return is clear and crucial to our future. I urge my fellow Mainers to join me in supporting this important bond proposal for submission to the voters by contacting their legislators. Contact information is online at www.maine.gov.

Michael B. Trainor is vice chairman of the University of Maine Board of Visitors.