BRUNSWICK

The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority is taking control of more property as businesses move in to fill the space.

According to MRRA Executive Director Stephen Levesque, 15 companies have moved into the 70,000-square-foot TechPlace building that opened in late May. Besides tenants using the office and industrial space, Levesque said the space has also been utilized by a number of other organizations for training and social events.

“We’re seeing significant interest and we’re signing up a few more here, hopefully by the end of the month,” said Levesque.

“We’re very happy to report that we have been awarded a $300,000 grant from Maine Technology Institute to support the build out and equipping of the tech shop and the biotech lab space, so we’ll be making movement on making those improvements ASAP,” he added.

Levesque said more buildings and properties are slated for turnover of just under 50 acres involving the hobby shop, the former galley and other properties, “including some potential future industrial lands that we’ll be receiving this fall.”

Levesque also said there has been “significant movement” by the U.S. Congress in the establishment of a HUBZone, allowing small businesses in the area access to preferential treatment when attempting to access federal funding.

According to Levesque, the wording in the proposed legislation would not only be good news for Brunswick but the entire surrounding area. “What this means is companies in Brunswick and Topsham and Bath and Harpswell, Lisbon and Freeport will actually be able to designate themselves as HUBZone companies,” he said.

Levesque said that so far all parties agree to the wording in the House and Senate versions of the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act. The bill is now awaiting approval by Congress and the president.

Eyeing construction

Levesque also announced that with approval from the Brunswick Planning Board on July 14, construction will commence in the next two months on the 50,000-squarefoot, $12 million Avita Memory Care facility at the site of the former Brunswick Naval Air Station mobile home park.

In Topsham, Levesque said MRRA is in the process of conveying land to School Administrative District 75 and Affordable Mid Coast Housing. Also, having closed the sale of the refurbished fire station to Firehouse Tumbling gymnastics, the profits will be used to demolish the former Army Reserve facility as well as some other foundations.

Happenings at TechPlace

ACCORDING TO MRRA Executive Director Stephen Levesque, 15 companies have moved into the 70,000-square-foot TechPlace building that opened in late May. Besides tenants using the office and industrial space, Levesque said the space has also been utilized by a number of other organizations for training and social events.