BRUNSWICK

The director of the agency charged with redeveloping the Brunswick’s former military base has again received the Community Leadership Award from the Association of Defense Communities.

According to a news release from the association, Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority Exectutive Director Steve Levesque was recognized for “innovation and excellence in the successful redevelopment of the former Naval Air Station Brunswick, thereby creating a national model for future reuse plans.”

Levesque accepted the award June 24 at a special Congressional breakfast on Capitol Hill during the 2015 Defense Communities National Summit hosted by ADC. The ceremony was attended by members of Congress and leaders from the Pentagon.

“Steve Levesque’s leadership of the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority during the time of the Naval Air Station Brunswick transition is unparalleled,” said ADC President Mike Cooper in a statement. “Steve continues to be an integral part of why Brunswick Landing is the most successful economic development initiative in Maine.”

Levesque credited MRRA’s success to his team.

“This is a tremendous honor. It’s really an award that recognizes the passion, dedication and hard work the MRRA team has put into the redevelopment of the former Naval Air Station Brunswick,” Levesque said.

Since 2008 Levesque has led MRRA’s implementation and oversight of the master plan he developed to guide the installation toward civilian reuse.

According to ADC, Levesque’s leadership has sparked 70 new entrepreneurial start-ups and created 600 jobs at Brunswick Landing, including the Tech- Place technology manufacturing business incubator/accelerator, home to 12 start-up and early-stage technology businesses.

“MRRA’s ability to attract business ventures to Brunswick Landing and nurture start-ups has put it on a sound financial footing,” according to the ADC release, noting it was one of the first redevelopment authorities from the 2005 round of base closures to pay off part of its economic development conveyance obligation, issuing a $3 million check to the Navy 10 years before the payment was due.

The authority also produced $2 million in revenue sharing from property leases and sales and has successfully pursued more than $50 million in federal and state grants and bond programs.

ADC advocates for and represents U.S. communities and states with a significant military presence and their partner organizations.