BRUNSWICK
The final piece in a funding puzzle consisting of federal and state grants is in place, which means a planned innovation hub at Brunswick Landing is closer to reality.
Last week, Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, the agency that oversees Brunswick Landing, received a $250,000 grant from the Maine Office of Community Development, which distributes money from the Federal Development Block Grant program.
MRRA was one of 14 businesses and communities in Maine to receive between $90,000 and $400,000 in grants.
TechPlace will be housed at Navy Building 250 located at 74 Orion St., at the former base. The 91,000 square-foot building was once used by the aviation maintenance department.
The first phase of the $1.5 million renovation is being funded through several grants, including a $750,000 Make It In America federal challenge grant. Brunswick Development Corp. in 2013 is providing a $250,000 grant, while MRRA itself is providing $250,000 to match the CDBG.
The renovation’s price tag includes engineering and design work, said MRRA Executive Director Steven Levesque on Wednesday.
MRRA is now accepting bids to renovate 74 Orion St., and Levesque said he hoped construction could start in July.
Tempus Jets is currently leasing about 3,000 square feet for use as a radio repair facility.
MRRA is holding off on leasing the rest of the area until renovations are finished, said Levesque.
“We’re working on marketing,” he said. “There’s a number of companies we’re talking to that have expressed interest.”
Entrepreneurs would have access to manufacturing equipment, warehouse and spaces in which they could build and develop new products. Conference rooms equipped with video conferencing, a kitchen and lounge would also be shared. Individual office and shop spaces will also be available, as well as spaces for larger businesses. A person could conceivably rent a desk at Tech- Place for $200 a month for his or her venture, or a larger company could rent 10,000 square feet for $5,000 a month, said Levesque. About 300 jobs in 30 to 50 businesses could be created at TechPlace, which MRRA officials describe as a “technology accelerator.”
Southern Maine Community College, University of Maine, the Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Coastal Counties Workforce Inc., and Brunswickbased Maine Technology Institute are also working on the TechPlace project. Levesque said TechPlace will open Oct. 1.
jswinconeck@timesrecord.com
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