Talk of the Towns 2/12/20: Union River Center for Innovation & the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

Producer/Host: Ron Beard Studio Engineer: Amy Browne Background on Ellsworth and its regional economy– historic and present day Ellsworth’s overall economic development strategy What led to the Union River Center for Innovation as part of that strategy? How does the Center approach its work? The several companies who are based at the Center seem to stem from innovation based in scientific research and technology… is that by chance or design? What are some other common challenges for start-up enterprises? Are there different challenges for what you refer to as next generation of growth companies? Are there some characteristics that are either hard-wired into next gen entrepreneurs, or skills and traits that can be learned and fostered? What makes for a successful entrepreneur? Guests: Janna Richards, Economic Development Director, City of Ellsworth Kat Taylor, Entrepreneur in Residence & co founder Genotyping Center for America Aaron Cox, Katadyn (Steri-pen) Chuck Carter, Eagre Games About the host: Ron Beard is producer and host of Talk of the Towns, which first aired on WERU in 1993 as part of his community building work as an Extension professor with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant. He took all the journalism courses he could fit in while an undergraduate student in wildlife management and served as an intern with Maine Public Television nightly newscast in the early 1970s. Ron is an adjunct faculty member at College of the Atlantic, teaching courses on community development. Ron served on the Bar Harbor Town Council for six years and is currently board chair for the Jesup Memorial Library in Bar Harbor, where he has lived since 1975. Look for him on the Allagash River in June, and whenever he can get away, in the highlands of Scotland where he was fortunate to spend two sabbaticals. The post Talk of the Towns 2/12/20: Union River Center for Innovation & the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.