BERLIN, N.H. (AP) – A federal prison in the state’s northernmost city is expected to bring much-needed jobs, a boost to the real estate market and an influx of construction-related spending.
The federal Bureau of Prisons is building a 1,280-inmate facility in Berlin, which has suffered as the paper industry has closed plants in the region. Construction on the $230 million project is slated to start this fall after almost six years of planning.
The project is expected to take three years and will bring hundreds of workers – and their wallets – to the area.
“We have the capability to do a lot ourselves, but we do utilize local contractors in doing that – we’re pretty keen on that,” said Lin Redden, vice president and director of construction management for builder Heery International.
The new prison will be the region’s largest construction project ever and is expected to create a rolling boost.
Sen. John Gallus said the influx of workers already has had an impact in the housing market. Gallus, who also is a real estate agent, said he expects low vacancy rates at apartments.
“People have been anticipating this and ever since we first started talking about the prison six years ago, we’ve had (federal prison employees) from places like Texas and Florida come in and look at the area, looking to see if they want to transfer in,” he told the Union Leader.
Eleven Coos County towns saw an influx of jobs during the early 1990s to help with the Portland Natural Gas Pipeline. Workers were spread across the area, staying in everything from campgrounds to apartments.
“I suspect what will happen is that every place is going to fill up,” Gallus said. “This is going be a jump-start for the area, from the gas stations and diners – once people start working, they’ll be working hard and they’re going to be stopping at local stores, buying food, buying gas. It’s going to be good for the area.”
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