Defense
Maine has a proud history of supporting national defense. In the air, on land, on the seas, or in the stars, Maine’s defense community is here to help safeguard American interests abroad.
Beyond the traditional bullets, bombs, and band aids that are stereotypically associated with the sector, Maine has a uniquely varied and resilient defense cluster comprised of small- and medium-sized manufacturers of innovative products and experts consulting in safety and security areas including search and rescue, offshore wind, and port security.
The defense cluster in Maine has strong economic linkages with other sectors. Every 100 direct jobs created in the defense industry supports another 99 jobs in the Maine economy.
Maine ranked 9th for defense spending as percentage of state GDP
More than 150 Maine companies sell directly into the defense supply chain
Defense supply chain employs over 20,000 Mainers
How Maine’s economy benefits from billion-dollar defense contracts
Hundreds of Maine companies, large and small, share billions of defense dollars each year that flow through communities across the state.
Defense spending represents 4.7% of the state’s gross domestic product (GDP), putting Maine at No. 9 in the nation by that measure.
The ripple effect of that cash infusion benefits hundreds of other businesses and over 20,000 Maine workers — and experts say there’s opportunity for growth.
Elmet Technologies turns to Aussie miner to strengthen tungsten supply chain
Elmet Technologies has agreed to a collaboration with an Australian tungsten supplier that’s expected to strengthen the Western industrial base and supply chain for the metal.
Elmet serves customers and applications that include defense, aerospace, medical, semiconductor, and industrial furnace. The only 100% U.S.-owned producer of pure tungsten and related tungsten alloys, the company has customers around the world.
Defense manufacturer to scale up production of advanced shelters
Compotech Inc. is planning to scale up production of next-generation composite structures for the U.S. military. The company’s new and more advanced panelized shelter can be set up in as little as 15 minutes. The product initiative began five years ago in response to the U.S. Department of Defense’s interest in the development of a shelter that could be set up and broken down quickly and moved by a team of people without heavy equipment.
New training hubs to boost Maine’s aerospace and shipbuilding workforce
Two new workforce training and testing facilities are positioned as a cross-sector collaboration to build talent pipelines for Bath Iron Works and other defense sector employers, accelerate Maine’s presence in maritime and space innovation and become a hub for students, entrepreneurs, engineers and researchers.
Industry Support
Collaborative effort between government agencies, educational institutions, and industry partners to address the workforce needs of Maine’s defense industry
Offers comprehensive one-on-one assistance for small and medium-sized manufacturers in Maine on everything from safety credentials to product development to cyber security
Coordinates growth of defense-related businesses across the six states within the New England region using an approach built around collaboration and multidisciplinary solutions to address the challenges identified by the New England defense manufacturing sector
Formerly known as Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), provides the education and training to ensure that all businesses become capable of participating in federal, state, and local government contracts
Member organization representing 300+ defense communities and states to advance issues that build strong communities and strengthen the ability for service members to defend our nation
Non-partisan, non-profit, educational association founded to provide a platform through which leaders in government, industry, and academia can collaborate and provide solutions to advance the national security and defense needs of the nation
Strengthen the defense sector and bolster our national security by connecting, partnering with, and convening leaders across industry and government