Note from the Director:

Happy New Year, everyone. Here’s hoping 2021 is a huge improvement on 2020. Despite the multitude of challenges 2020 threw at us, we feel very fortunate that redevelopment of the former Navy base properties — Brunswick Landing and Topsham Commerce Park — continued to chug along without any major interruptions from COVID-19.

Multiple construction projects were completed in 2020, including new buildings for Wild Oats Bakery, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Bar Harbor Bank. Several other projects, including Martin’s Point Health (60,000 SF building), and more than 190 multi and single-family units of new housing to support the growing workforce and community demand are well under way and on track for completion.

Most of our businesses at Brunswick Landing have continued to grow and add jobs — more than 2,200 at last count. In fact, STARC Systems and SaviLinx were recognized as among the fastest growing companies in the country by Inc. Magazine. Several companies, such as Wicked Joe Coffee has been awarded B certifications for socially responsible practices. New TechPlace graduates Maritime Surveillance and VividCloud have expanded their footprints on the Brunswick Landing campus.

Airport traffic rebounded nicely at the end of the year after the pandemic grounded a lot of flight operations earlier in 2020. Additionally, we’ve had several new aerospace companies expand operations to BXM this year, including New England Aviation Academy, CFI Collective, Sunbird Aviation, and VALT Enterprises.

Thanks to Zoom and other meeting technologies, MRRA staff, who were able to, worked remotely for much of the year. We will continue to do so until this pandemic is better under control.

I wish everyone a healthy and prosperous 2021! In June we will celebrate our ten year anniversary of the base closure. Stay tuned for an exciting announcement of a celebration event later this summer (Covid permitting).

Infrastructure at Brunswick Landing Provides Opportunity for Innovation

The Times Record recently published two Op-Eds in which MRRA’s Executive Director Steve Levesque discussed management of infrastructure and environmental cleanup at the former base. Both are ongoing and expensive projects that are critical to successful redevelopment.

The most recent story covered MRRA’s commitment to provide reliable utilities (electricity and water), excellent transportation networks, and responsible management of Brunswick Landing’s stormwater systems. MRRA inherited these systems from the Navy. The wastewater system was also transferred to us, but it is now owned and managed by the Brunswick Sewer District, aside from two pumping stations.

Overall, MRRA owns and manages 15 miles of power lines, 17 miles of water pipe and 27 miles of roadway. It was recently recognized as a non-profit utility by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC).

A previous column addressed environmental issues that the Navy is responsible for cleaning up and MRRA’s efforts to develop a long-range plan with the Town of Brunswick, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and other partners for managing and improving the existing stormwater system. Read infrastructure column in the Times Record.

bluShift Aerospace Startdust 1.0 Rocket Launch Takes Place, Friday Jan. 15th

Brunswick Landing NewSpace company bluShift Aerospace will launch the world’s first commercial rocket (Stardust 1.0) powered by biofuel this Friday in Limestone, Maine. The low-altitude demo launch will be viewed by a select group of honored guests and is the culmination of six years of research and development, over two hundred engine tests, the successful realization of grants from NASA and the Maine Technology Institute, and the development of a novel modular hybrid rocket engine.

“There’s a lot riding on this moment, and not just for bluShift,” said Sascha Deri, CEO and Founder of bluShift Aerospace. “Stardust has the potential to launch a vibrant aerospace industry right here in Maine. Our team of staff and investors is aiming high and hoping to create an ecologically responsible aerospace industry with the words ‘Made in Maine’ on it.”

Where: Loring Commerce Centre in Limestone, Maine.

• Google Map Address: Snowbarn Road, Limestone, ME 04750.
• Travel to the eastern end of Snowbarn Road, turn right, and follow the plowed area.
• In accordance with Maine DECD’s COVID19 Prevention Checklist Industry Guidance for Drive-In Theaters, in-vehicle viewing will be available to invited guests from a designated parking area.
• Tune your car radio to 92.9FM to hear live broadcast

To watch the live stream of the launch go to: https://youtu.be/4X4uh9MvRL4

bluShift disclaimer: Rocket launches can often be delayed for a variety of reasons, including weather.

Wild Oats Bakery and Café Opens at Brunswick Landing

One of Brunswick’s most popular eateries, Wild Oats, moved from its long-time downtown location into its new 20,000 SF building last month. Construction took nearly a year, after ground was broken in early 2020. Wild Oats held its grand opening at the new location at 166 Admiral Fitch on December 15th. The company, which opened for business in 1991 at the Tontine Mall, says the new building can seat twice as many customers and allows for more parking. The expanded kitchen area gives its workforce more room for food production. Wild Oats is open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Read story about Wild Oats’ new location.

Former Navy West Side Property Slated for Conservation and Recreational Usage

MRRA and the Town of Brunswick are working to protect an additional 144 acres of land on the west side of the airport for conservation and recreation purposes. Last year, MRRA received the property from the Navy via an economic development conveyance after the parcel was abdicated by Bowdoin College.

In June, MRRA launched a public planning process that included a virtual tour of the tract and a questionnaire for respondents to share their land use preferences. MRRA and Sebago Technics worked on the development a concept plan for the property that included a roughly 70/30 mix of open space and mixed-use housing, a community center and nature center.

At its January 4 meeting, the Town Council determined that they would like to see 100% of the land preserved for open space and conservation and voted 5-3 to acquire the subject property from MRRA. Once the transaction is completed, the Town will have more than 1,200 acres (more than 36% of the former Navy property) at its disposal for open space and recreational opportunities.

Part of the Town’s plan for this property is to develop a trail system connecting to other Town property to the south, Bowdoin’s property to the north and the Town Common to the West, which was envisioned in the original Reuse Master Plan. We’re hopeful that implementation of this trails plan is realized in short order.

Read the latest about this project in the Times Record.

TechPlace Shared Production Spaces Available for Maine Business Use

One of the most attractive benefits to being a member at TechPlace, Brunswick Landing’s manufacturing business incubator, is access to shared production equipment, including a machine shop, composites layup facility and a bioproduction lab. More than 30 companies are currently based at TechPlace. Affiliate memberships are also available to companies that are located outside of TechPlace and technology companies throughout Maine are also welcome to use the facilities. Visit the TechPlace website for details on these spaces and available equipment. Contact us for more information.

Brunswick Landing Eyed as Future Headquarters for Maine Spaceport

Strategic planning for the proposed Maine Spaceport Complex is under way. Following a feasibility study last year, the Maine Space Grant Consortium was awarded funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Maine Technology Institute and NASA to begin the initial planning process. Members of the Space Leadership Council include MRRA’s Steve Levesque and established Brunswick Landing NewSpace businesses bluShift Aerospace and VALT Enterprises.

Because of its world-class airport assets and proven ability to support large aerospace projects, Brunswick Landing is envisioned to be the site of a mission control and research and development space center. MRRA has begun marketing the airport to both UAS- and NewSpace-focused companies.

Featured Properties at Brunswick Landing

Former Navy Building 231 / air traffic control center: The 15,000 SF facility, located at 417 Allagash Drive, was built by the Navy in 2005 and is one of the newest buildings on campus. It’s in great shape with more than 12,000 SF office space and IT rooms. It has direct access to the flight line. It would be a good spot for an aerospace business or IT / cybersecurity activities due to its secure, quiet location. 650 kv generator on site. More info.»
Former Navy Building 554: The 10,000 SF Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) is located at 148 Orion Street. The SCIF is a one-of-kind building that would be ideal for data analytics, cyber security, data center, or back office operations. It is highly secure with military-grade access control features and backup power. More info.»
Former Navy Building 9: The 8,888 SF office building is located at 220 Admiral Fitch Avenue, across the street from the airport. MRRA has a $110,000 grant to do initial renovations on the building for a prospective tenant. Most recently, the building served as the Navy’s housing office. It is available to lease for office or light manufacturing. More info.»

Contact MRRA’s Ben Sturtevant for more info. Apply for space and share your business plan.