Town seeks development grant
on behalf of Ecoshel
Photo courtesy of Ralph Dwyer
EXPLAINING ECOSHEL to a group of local and state officials during a recent visit to Ashland is owner Bryan Kirkey, as Commissioner George Gervais, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, at left, looks on. Ecoshel manufactures specialty shingles for roofs and siding.
Photo courtesy of Ralph Dwyer
ECOSHEL RECEIVES WARM WELCOME — Bryan Kirkey, owner of Ecoshel, the maker of quality cedar shingle products, received a warm welcome in Ashland. The business will be opening a facility adjacent to E.J.Carrier Inc.’s site. Gathering for a recent photo op are, from left: Sharon Campbell, representative for Sen. Angus King; Commissioner George Gervais, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development; owner Bryan Kirkey; Rosaire Pelletier, forest products industry liaison, DECD; Dana Cameron, town councilor; Larry Carrier, owner, E.J. Carrier; Phil Bosse, representative for Sen. Susan Collins; Patrick (Chuck) Driscoll, town councilor; Ashland Town Manager Ralph Dwyer; and Theresa Fowler, executive director, Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce.
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
ASHLAND — A new business is much closer to being a reality, following a special town meeting June 26 in which councilors authorized Town Manager Ralph Dwyer to submit an Economic Development Grant application for Ecoshel, a business that recently announced plans to construct a specialty shingle manufacturing facility in town, on property adjacent to E.J. Carrier Inc.’s.
“We will be pursuing an $800,000 grant for Ecoshel, with funds to be used for equipment and working capital,” said Dwyer.
Dwyer said Ecoshel’s owner, Bryan Kirkey, has indicated he wants to have the facility “up and running by September.”
“Bryan has some of the funds already in place. This will probably be the last segment of what he needs to get going on site,” said Dwyer, noting Ecoshel will likely benefit from the recent approval of a bill allowing heavier trucks access to that area of town.
Commissioner George Gervais, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, was on hand at a recent event at the site, joining other state and local officials in welcoming the business to the community.
The firm plans to create up to 78 new jobs at their patented cedar-shingle manufacturing facility in Ashland. Occupying and possibly expanding on the Levesque sawmill site, Ecoshel’s long-range plans include the operation of up to 10 production lines, which could boost employment to 300 people. At the start of the operation with a single production line, an estimated 150 additional indirect positions will be created.
Over the last two years, Ecoshel has been in beta production of their Smart-Shingle System, premium cedar shingle panels used for roofing and siding, at a facility in Gainsville, Ga. The company decided to build its permanent manufacturing facility in Maine to be closer to an abundant source of northern white cedar and its proximity to the nation’s largest cedar shingle markets in New England, according to Kirkey, Ecoshel’s CEO.
“When we made the decision to set up an advanced manufacturing system in Maine, I contacted Commissioner Gervais and Rosaire Pelletier of the Maine DECD to see if they could help,” said Kirkey. “I’m very thankful for how hard they have worked to make this possible, and for all of the well-run, well-designed programs the businesses need to grow and create jobs, especially in this economy.”
Ecoshel approached the Maine DECD in December 2012. Since then and with the assistance of the town of Ashland, DECD facilitated the location of Ecoshel to Maine by expediting a Maine Rural Development Authority loan for the company; connected Ecoshel with the Maine Technology Institute Community Development Block Grant program, and Finance Authority of Maine; assisted with site selection; and connected the company with suppliers of raw materials.
“It has taken my team, led by the dedication and commitment of Rosaire, in conjunction with Ashland Town Manager Ralph Dwyer, and exceptional staff at the Ashland Town Office, just six short months to make this project a reality,” said Gervais. “Ecoshel’s president and CEO, Bryan Kirkey, has made a commitment to this state by literally trucking his production equipment to this site. Once set up, Ecoshel will be well situated to tap into the shingle siding demand that is the greatest right here in New England.”
Sen. Angus King called the company’s decision move to Maine, “outstanding.”
“It’s welcome news for both Aroostook County and the state of Maine,” said Sen. King. “As we know, the region has endured severe economic hardship as a result of mill closures and dormant facilities, but the creation of 78 jobs at the former Levesque mill complex will breathe new life into the area and serve as a boon to the local forestry industry, which is critical to the economic vitality of northern Maine and the state as a whole.”
Dwyer echoed King’s statement, noting with optimism what it means to have Ecoshel set up shop locally.
“The Ashland areas has experienced numerous mill closings over the past several years, resulting in the loss of over 200 direct jobs,” said Dwyer. “Ecoshel will be a welcomed addition to Ashland and a boon to the local economy. The town of Ashland is looking forward to working with Ecoshel.”
