Kestrel Aircraft To Invest $100 Million In Maine, Create 300 Jobs
Governor John E. Baldacci joined Brunswick area local, State, business and redevelopment officials to announce the commitment of Kestrel Aircraft Company to locate to Brunswick Landing, the site of former Brunswick Naval Air Station.
The air station is in the process of decommissioning, which will be complete in 2011.
“While the federal government made a mistake five years ago to decide to close Brunswick Naval Air Station, the State and region joined with partners to aggressively reinvigorate the economy of the area and to bring opportunity to its residents,” said Governor Baldacci. “Today we are proud to recognize the continuing efforts of the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority and all our partners in the area who have worked hard to attract good companies like Kestrel Aircraft Company to Brunswick Landing.”
Kestrel Aircraft will be developing and manufacturing composite turboprop aircraft at their site at Brunswick Landing.
According to company officials at the announcement today, at full production Kestrel will have invested $100 million and is expected to create more than 300 good-paying jobs in Brunswick.
“The decision of Kestrel Aircraft Company to locate their base of operations at Brunswick Landing is a testament to the talented workforce here in Maine,” said Governor Baldacci. “It also demonstrates the success that can occur when local, regional, state and federal governments are all working cooperatively with the private sector on economic development. The international appeal and worldwide demand for the composite technology being used by Kestrel will benefit jobs throughout the State, boost Maine’s economic competitiveness and showcase Maine’s world-class innovation economy.”
Kestrel plans to enter into a lease option for Hangar #6 and start the initial design phase of the project this November.
The company will hire roughly 50 to 70 engineers for design and prototype development, and expand by an additional 250 people when they begin production.
“Kestral Aircraft Company will complement the already strong composite technology cluster in the Midcoast and the development of the Maine Advanced Technology and Engineering Center, which will be located at Brunswick Landing,” said the Governor.
The Advanced Technology Center, which is a partnership between the University of Maine and Southern Maine Community College, received significant funding this year when voters approved $4.75 million for the program.
“The redevelopment of Brunswick Naval Air Station has been a top priority of my administration, a priority that is also shared by the Maine Legislature and the people of Maine,” said the Governor.
For more information about the redevelopment authority, please visit: www.mrra.us
Topics: 2010, aviation, Brunswick Landing, Brunswick Naval Air Station, business, economic development, economic growth, Economy, employment, Governance, government, Governor John E. Baldacci, investment, jobs, Kestrel Aircraft Company, Maine, manufacturing, Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, moniter, monitor, news, society, turboprop aircraft, U.S., United States
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