The Maine Technology Institute is receiving $45 million as a result of the $50 million bond referendum that voters approved in June and wants to gather feedback on the process it will use to distribute it.

MTI will be soliciting proposals from Maine organizations looking to make investments in equipment, infrastructure and technology upgrades that will drive innovation. It will be a competitive application process and organizations that want to apply will have to demonstrate how the R&D funding will complement their own matching investments to the greatest possible extent and for the greatest possible economic impact. They will also need to show how the grant funding will help them gain and hold market share, increase revenues, and grow or preserve jobs for Maine people.

To gain feedback on the proposed approach to the application process, MTI staff will be holding a handful of informal sessions with those who may be interested in this bond funding opportunity. As with all state bond funds, awards must be used for capital and infrastructure expenditures, such as equipment and facilities renovation.

The conversations with take place in several places on August 28 and 29. Here are the times and locations:

August 28

Biddeford — Noon at Engine, 128 Main St.
Lewiston — 4-5 p.m. at Munka, 213 Lisbon St

August 29

Waterville — 8 a.m. at Thomas College, 180 West River Rd.
Bangor — 11 a.m. at Eastern Maine Development Corp., 40 Harlow St.
Ellsworth — 4-5 p.m. at Ellsworth City Hall, 1 City Hall Plaza