Shawn Frank of Sebago Technics explains Harvey Perfomance Company’s plans for a new plant in Gorham at the former horse racing track off Narragansett Street.

Gorham Town Council Vice Chairwoman Suzanne Phillips chats with Brian Lavelle, left, and Steve Vatcher, both of Harvey Performance Company, following a public meeting Dec. 6 about the firm’s plans for an expansion in Gorham.

GORHAM — Expecting continued growth, Harvey Performance Company in a Dec. 6 public meeting unveiled its plans for an immediate proposed expansion in Gorham and a future enlargement.

Based in Rowley, Massachusetts, the precision toolmaker seeks permission to build a plant longer than a football field at the former horse racing track off Narragansett Street. Harvey’s plans call for relocating its Helical Solutions plant from the Gorham Industrial Park to the proposed facility.

“We’re growing fast and we need more space,” said Steve Vatcher, vice president of operations at Harvey Performance Company.

More than doubling Helical’s present space, the proposed plant would be 76,887 square feet with parking for 172 cars. A future enlargement  includes a 36,000-square-foot addition with another 115 parking spaces.

The project is proposed on 13 acres at the vacant, 62-acre former track owned by Moody’s Co-Worker Owned, Inc., which has a purchase-sale agreement with Harvey. Plans call for the project to be located near the rear of the race track site.

At last week’s meeting at Moody’s Collision Center, project engineer Shawn Frank of Sebago Technics presented Harvey’s plans. The meeting was attended by Town Council Vice Chairwoman Suzanne Phillips,  Harvey representatives, eight members of the general public, and Shawn Moody with his wife, Christina.

The first phase of Harvey’s proposed expansion would be a flat-roofed building 200 feet wide and 384 feet long. The building will be 25 feet high.

Access would be a 1,300-foot road into the site from Narragansett Street (Route 202). The street is served by public water and sewer. A sewer pumping station will be built on site.

The Harvey proposal will likely be on the Gorham Planning Board agenda in January. The project will also require Maine Department of Environmental Protection approval.

Last week’s meeting was the first step, Frank said, and construction could be underway by late spring or early summer.

The company makes products for specialty needs and markets in the manufacturing and cutting tools industries. Its products are sold in the U.S., Canada and Mexico and customers include Boeing.

Adam Martin, Helical plant manager, said it now has 80 employees. As it grows, the company will add machinery and hire more local workers, both experienced machinists and community college graduates.

 “Our employees are excited to get out of the cramped facility,” Vatcher said, and added, “We’re happy to continue our relationship with Gorham.”

The  plant marks the first development proposed in the race track site.

The Bernard P. Rines Bypass sliced through the parcel and a roundabout links it with Narragansett Street. The well-positioned site is about a mile from the heart of Gorham Village but Moody doesn’t want businesses at the site that would compete with  “downtown.”

Moody said his original layout of lots for the site would now be redesigned. “Harvey will be the anchor,” Moody said.

Robert Lowell can be reached at 780-9089 or rlowell@keepmecurrent.com.