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Â鶹´«Ã½President Danielle Ripich's presentation to the Portland Regional Chamber on May 4, 2010 at its monthly "Eggs and Issue" breakfast was covered by the , , and . President Ripich told the group that the University is working to secure both federal and state funds for a proposed college of dental medicine. Â鶹´«Ã½is seeking public funding for the school because of a shortage of dental care among children and adults that is contributing to illnesses, reduced productivity and to costly emergency room visits, she said. “The story is really tragic." Ripich noted that “UNE’s College of Pharmacy demonstrates that investment on the part of the university, community and the state can be a shared success." The College of Pharmacy is expected to have an economic impact of more than $100 million when it is fully enrolled in three years, and it was awarded the 2009 Economic Achievement Award by the City of Portland last November in recognition of the economic vitality it brings to the region. Ripich also explained that the university has a $440 million annual economic impact on Maine's economy. The school has 3,000 non-Maine residents enrolled and brings to its campuses 21,000 visitors each year who generate $6 million in spending for Maine businesses such as hotels, restaurants, retailers and others. Listen to President Ripich's interview on the morning news program .