As we approach 2014, it’s a good time to reflect on the significant progress this year on the Naval Air Station Brunswick redevelopment effort.

The reuse effort at Brunswick Landing and Topsham Commerce Park is well ahead of its 2005 BRAC peers. It’s evident Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority activities are making a positive impact on local and regional economies.

Through a combination of strong partnerships, terrific property assets, usable infrastructure and plain old hard work, MRRA has surpassed several of its early objectives.

We continue to work with exciting new prospects interested in doing business in Maine. We’re proud of the existing lineup of businesses and organizations here now, and we expect them to thrive and grow.

In 2013, our strongest year yet:

— Over $51 million in new tax base was added in Brunswick and Topsham, with new property tax revenues exceeding $2 million from former base properties. MRRA will pay $684,000 to Brunswick in the current fiscal year on behalf of Brunswick Landing businesses.

— With 10 new companies in 2013, including Tempus Jets, SaviLinx, Providence Service Corp., and Seeds of Independence, there are now 35 entities doing business at Brunswick Landing and the Topsham Commerce Park. Collectively, they will create more than 750 jobs by the end of 2014. Seven companies are new to Maine.

— MRRA has awarded more than $25 million in contracts for property upgrades. There is much work to be done on roads and electrical, sewer, water, and storm water systems. We expect to award more contracts in 2014 to upgrade the campus.

— MRRA completed construction of a new “state of the art” 80,000-square-foot manufacturing facility to accommodate Mölnlycke Health Care’s new product line in North America. Mölnlycke will employ more than 80 at the Brunswick plant.

— MRRA continues to work closely with the Navy and regulators to negotiate property conveyances. So far, we’ve acquired over 1,700 acres of land and more than 200 buildings — approximately 80 percent of what is due to be conveyed.

— MRRA received subdivision approval for an initial sale of 300 acres and 26 buildings in Brunswick; and sold its first commercial property — the former commissary and accompanying 5.6 acres in Topsham — to aid redevelopment there.

— In November, MRRA paid the Navy its first revenue sharing check, nearly $58,000. We didn’t expect to pay this until 2015; our success has allowed us to reimburse American taxpayers sooner than forecast.

As part of the purchase-andsale agreement with the Navy, the U.S. government receives an annual dividend of 25 percent of annual sales and lease revenues once MRRA surpasses $7 million in sales and lease revenue on certain property. MRRA reached that level in June, when it closed a $1.5 million deal for the former bachelors’ enlisted quarters with Affordable Midcoast Housing.

— Local developers George Schott, Jim Howard, Tom Wright, and Hilary Rockett have together invested nearly $10 million in Brunswick Landing and Topsham Commerce Park properties and continue to make significant upgrades. Altogether, more than $100 million dollars in private investment has occurred on former base properties since the base closed in 2011.

— MRRA and Brunswick successfully negotiated a tax increment financing plan that will help both entities make critical investments to its infrastructure and other community needs.

— Brunswick Executive Airport is in the process of a multiyear $25 million Federal Aviation Administration upgrade. Work completed in 2013 includes new runway lighting, general aviation T-hangar construction, runway maintenance, improved security gates and wildlife fence installation. BXM currently has 25 based aircraft and is on pace for more than 1,200 takeoffs and landings in 2013.

— Southern Maine Community College’s Midcoast Campus now has an enrollment of more than 500 in just its third year. SMCC, working in conjunction with the University of Maine’s Brunswick Engineering School, is developing an excellent reputation for its composites program and work force training options available to Brunswick Landing businesses.

We’re pleased with our progress so far, but we know we have a long way to go before we can call this a success. It’s been a terrific 2013. We think 2014 will be even better.

STEVE LEVESQUE is executive director of the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority.