Opportunity would require $5M investment in Commerce Centre structures
LIMESTONE, Maine — Limestone’s former Air Force Base may host a new manufacturing project that, according to NMDC Community Relations Director Jon Gulliver, could bring millions of dollars and hundreds of new jobs to Aroostook County.
“Loring has been presented a very nice opportunity to bring several hundred jobs to the center,” said Gulliver,” but it requires the refurbishing of five buildings in the Commerce Centre to the tune of about $5 million.”
During a Dec. 7 Loring Development Authority meeting, President Carl Flora said the prospective manufacturer would occupy over 270,000 square feet of LCC space, and that renovations would include enlarging passageways through brick firewalls, improving lighting, preparing floor surfaces, improving heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and upgrading office, shop, and support space, as well as the construction of a connector building.
The NMDC community relations director added that the new project could potentially bring 350 new jobs in four years and about 750 jobs after eight years.
Both NMDC and the LDA are working to obtain money for the improvements via grant funding. Flora brought up the possibility of applying for an Economic Development Administration grant during last week’s meeting.
“EDA grants are made on a 50-50 cash match basis,” Flora wrote in the meeting memorandum. “Assuming the renovation project cost $5 million, LDA could request $2.5 million from EDA but we would have to come up with the other $2.5 million.”
Flora mentioned the possibility of obtaining $1 million via a Community Development Block Grant and another $250,000 from the Northern Border Regional Commission to use toward the match.
The remainder, according to Flora, could be obtained via lease payments from the new manufacturer.
During a Dec. 8 NMDC meeting, Gulliver told the Executive Board that he was unable to give many specific details about the project.
“This project could be coming fast and you may hear about it in early January,” Gulliver said. “What’s nice about it is that there will be new jobs, but the existing businesses at Loring will support the activity of the new business, so they can grow as well.”
