By KATHY McCORMACK

The Associated Press

DURHAM – Paul Bemis runs a start-up company that is trying to market a program to help calculate the amount of heat and power generated by computers and to help cool them down to save energy costs.

He’s hoping a new partnership announced Wednesday to link businesses developing clean energy products with experts at the University of New Hampshire and potential investors will be just the funding boost he needs for Applied Math Modeling Inc. in Concord – now with just four employees who work from home.

“I think it’s a good fit,” Bemis said. “It needs a lot of work. I can’t afford the manpower to do it.”

The program, known as the Green Launching Pad, will seek ideas from New Hampshire entrepreneurs, businesses, students or researchers who need help to make them a reality. At least three projects a year will receive up to $90,000 in funding and other support, including coaching from technology and engineering professionals.

The state is using $750,000 in federal energy stimulus funds to pay for the program through the spring of 2012, after which time the university hopes it will be sustained with private funding.

The program aims to reduce pollution and energy costs, provide new energy sources and create jobs.

“These businesses hold great potential to create new jobs as well as to strengthen the future of our economy in New Hampshire,” said Gov. John Lynch, who joined UNH President Mark Huddleston in announcing the program.

Sarah Brown, a project director for a consulting firm called Green Alliance in Portsmouth, said her firm now is helping 83 companies adopt green practices. She said her firm is hoping to become part of the new partnership to be able to expand its services to more companies.

“We’ve grown too quickly – we’re maxed out,” she said.

Huddleston said the university is eager to share its expertise to help companies grow and develop clean energy products.

“Anyone in the state who’s got an idea and wants to compete for support can do so,” he said.