Blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, aquaculture in Maine is poised for expansion with many mussel farms increasing production to keep up with consumer demand. Yet, the majority of mussel farms in Maine are currently reliant on wild seed collection to propagate their farms. The spatial and temporal differences in annual wild mussel recruitment poses a risk to Maine mussel farms, and may act as a barrier to expansion. To present options for growers who would otherwise rely on wild seed collection, which was normal husbandry practice for the past 30 years, the Downeast Institute (DEI) has developed a method using hatchery technology to produce seeded mussel ropes positive and eyed larvae for the Maine mussel industry. This development has provided Maine mussel farmers with another, less variable approach to mussel production and has led to significant improvements in mussel genetics and yield. A major component of the hatchery process is the development and maintenance of select broodstock chosen for several attributes such as phenotype, fast growth and high meat yield. DEI focused breeding efforts to create a line of mussel broodstock that produce a unique golden, striped phenotype, which adds value to the final product and offers new approaches to marketing the product. We will discuss how the hatchery process was created and how the relationship between a marine research institution and an industry partner helped spur innovation and the rapid development of commercially viable hatchery-reared mussel seed.