CMGC Intelligence: Central Maine Enthusiast, here's your 10 min read on innovation, investment, and quality of life

September 2022 Edition

Innovation

September Speaker Series:

TimberHP by GO Lab, Inc.: Shaping the Future of Maine’s Forest Economy

September 8 | 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. |

Bricks Coworking Space, Hathaway Creative Center, Waterville

Hear how TimberHP by GO Lab, Inc. is using sustainably harvested softwood chips to make construction insulation for the North American market that's renewable, recyclable, safe, easy to install, carbon-storing, and healthy for the home and planet.

About TimberHP by GO Lab, Inc.:

TimberHP, America’s first domestic wood fiber insulation manufacturing company, grew out of a partnership between two entrepreneurs—Matthew O’Malia, an award-winning architect with a reputation for developing high-performance, cost-competitive designs: and Dr. Joshua Henry, a materials chemist with years of experience elevating solutions to conserve energy and produce renewable energy.

O’Malia and Henry formed GO Lab, Inc., TimberHP’s parent company, and purchased the former UPM paper mill in Madison in 2019. Since then, they have worked to secure the financing required to renovate the mill and turn it into the first dry-process wood fiber insulation manufacturing plant in North America. TimberHP’s insulation products—TimberFill, TimberBatt, and TimberBoard—will hit the marketplace in 2023.

5 Qs with Dr. Joshua Henry

CEO, TimberHP

What are TimberHP’s sustainability objectives, and how will they contribute to a reduced carbon footprint?

Wood fiber insulation is made from small-diameter, low-value trees, and residual wood chips that pile up at lumber mills daily. We process this leftover wood into wool-like fibers, add nontoxic adhesives and/or fire retardants, and form it into innovative, highly efficient insulation.

Our raw materials come to us with very little carbon burden. Transportation is minimal vs other products on the market such as glass, sand, and chemicals for foam. Unlike other insulations that are derived from fossil fuels, our products are biogenic, nontoxic, and biodegradable.

Our cost-competitive, wood fiber insulation products are good for our customers and good for the planet. Buildings account for 39%* of all greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing and reversing the acceleration of global warming happens by making carbon smart choices. TimberHP captures and stores the CO2 inherent in wood products which allows us to lock up carbon for the lifetime of the installation while growing more trees to sequester additional carbon. TimberHP products are carbon negative from day one, helping all of us reduce our carbon footprint.

To Read Joshua's Full Interview, Click Here!

Upcoming Speaker Series

October Speaker Series | October 13

Atlantic Sea Farms: Forging a Sustainable Path for Seaweed Aquaculture

With Tom Simmons, Sales & Partner Growth, Ingredients

Virtual Speaker Series Recordings

Dirigo Speaker Series conversations have been made available for viewing anytime. You can watch recordings of past conversations on our YouTube Channel.

Business Investment

Sponsored by Coldwell Banker Plourde Real Estate

Sponsored by MaineGeneral Health

Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care’s Day of Hope

Join us Saturday, Oct. 1 for the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care’s Day of Hope.

This day of celebration, inspirational speakers, screenings, education, walking, and fundraising brings together two signature events – Cancer Survivors Day and Walk for Hope – toward the common goal of supporting the work of MaineGeneral’s Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Go to https://give.mainegeneral.org/hope to register and learn more.

Workforce Investment

Sponsored by Kennebec Valley Community College

Workforce Training & Professional Development:

Maine Community College System Announces Historic Investment in Workforce Training

By Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC)

Looking to train your workforce for free? The Harold Alfond Foundation is funding training that will offer Maine businesses the opportunity to train their frontline workers and will cover the cost of up to $1,200 per employee. You can partner with KVCC for training or another training center of your choice. KVCC provides training in trades, healthcare, hospitality, information technology, and more. Trainings include welding, precision machining, carpentry, solar installation, high-pressure boiler, and heavy equipment operator training, emergency medical services, phlebotomy, 3D printing, Comp TIAA, and so much more. Employees can participate in existing training programs or KVCC can create customized training to meet your business needs. For more information on our training programs visit us at www.kvcc.me.edu/workforce.

If you would like to train your current workforce or new employees, contact Elizabeth Fortin at 207.453.5858 or by email at workforce@kvcc.me.edu to take advantage of this incredible opportunity for free or low-cost training.

Learn how to train your team with KVCC

Coworking & Collaboration

Where Great Work Meets Innovation

Location can be a game-changer when it comes to running your business. Bricks Coworking and Innovation Space is located in the historic Hathaway Creative Center, directly across from Waterville Brewing Co., and in the heart of Waterville's growing downtown. Featuring spacious interiors and an ergonomic design, its floating desks and conference room are fully equipped to meet your needs.