A Thorndike manufacturer has been awarded a $17,500 “challenge grant” to develop a new sand and salt spreader.

The funds were provided by the Center for Technology Transfer, which was established in 1989 as a partnership between the state’s metals and electronics industries, public higher education and the Maine Science and Technology Commission.

The center seeks to stimulate innovation and to encourage joint action among Maine’s researchers and smaller manufacturers. The goal is to foster economic growth and industrial flexibility in an era of rapid technological change.

Under the terms of the grant, Bryant Steel Works of Thorndike will match the center’s funds at least dollar for dollar. The money will allow Bryant to complete the design of the spreader, and to build four production models.

The company has formed a network of five other machine shops and parts suppliers to cooperate in the project. They are: Marsh Stream Enterprises of Brooks, Pioneer Machine Co. of Albion, Lane Supply Co. of Brewer, Woman Steel Co. of Waterville and Smithfield Machine Co. of Smithfield.

Bryant has made tow-behind sand and salt spreaders for 28 years. It employs eight people.

But company President Kenneth McCue said that, as the size of trucks used in snowplowing has increased, tow-behind spreaders have become less popular. Many municipalities now favor large-capacity, truck-mounted sanders, he said, and Bryant sales have fallen.

“With this grant, we will be able to stop the decline in sales by adding a new line of sanders, the Giant Bryant, which our customers want,” said McCue. “And we’ll create jobs in Maine.”

The new truck-mounted “hopper spreader” being designed by Bryant and its associates will offer refinements of features found on competitor’s products, according to McCue.

“We’ll rely on the good Bryant quality name (to sell the new sanders),” he said. “Some customers have been buying Bryant sanders year in and year out since 1962.”