WISCASSET

RAS Corporation — a Brunswick-based developer of recirculation systems for fish farms — has closed a new round of financing from Coastal Enterprises Inc. that will support expanded production.

The new cash will allow the company to continue its efforts to grow premium saltwater species — including California yellowtail and black sea bass — on land.

In partnership with the University of Maine, RAS is now conducting multiple trials that will advance the state of technology for land-based salt water aquaculture, according to a news release.

RAS was launched in 2011 by three Mid-coast entrepreneurs with backgrounds in life science businesses, science and environmental monitoring, and aquaculture. The CEO is Chris Heinig, of Harpswell.

With plans to expand its trials to grow up to 12,000 California yellowtail in the next 12 months, the CEI debt and equity financing of $100,000 are “critical to successful implementation of the company’s business plan,” Heinig said. “The team at CEI has a long history of assisting the marine industries and will be wonderful partners for us as we seek to build a commercial fish growing operation in Maine.”

CEI is a nonprofit organization that provides rural business financing, technical assistance and policy advocacy for small and medium sized companies that create jobs, improve the economic development in their areas or offer environmental benefits.

In December 2012, RAS snared $249,491 from the Maine Technology Initiative’s TechStart grant program for its recirculating aquaculture systems.

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