BRUNSWICK — The redevelopment of the former Brunswick Naval Air Station received a boost Tuesday when the federal government awarded another $445,000 in grant money to continue improvements at Brunswick Executive Airport.
The grants, announced by U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, were awarded by the U.S. federal Military Airport Program.
The money will assist in converting the former military airfield for civilian use.
To date this year, the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, the agency tasked with repurposing the roughly 3,200 acres associated with the Navy base that closed in 2011, has received $1.78 million in grants, MRRA executive director Steve Levesque said Tuesday.
The $1.78 million includes $1.34 million for terminal building renovations, $102,400 to repair the roof of Hangar 5, and $181,000 for renovations and expansion of a snow removal equipment building, among other projects, Levesque said.
“These are important funds to continue the redevelopment of Brunswick Executive Airport and Brunswick Landing to be a full-service, civilian facility,” he said Tuesday of the newly announced grant funding.
Over the last three years, the redevelopment authority has secured $8.8 million in grants — including the most recent funding — to build 10 new hangars, demolish an old foundation, upgrade airport electrical and lighting systems, make safety improvements, add a new communication system and work on other projects, according to Levesque.The renovations will bring the airport up to civilian standards.
“Converting and improving facilities at the former base so they can be used by Brunswick Executive Airport is a crucial step in the site’s redevelopment,” Pingree said in a statement. “I’m glad MRRA will be able to use these funds to support the airport’s growth and competitiveness. In only two years since the base’s closure, new businesses at the redeveloped site have created over 200 jobs and are poised to hire hundreds more. It’s important that we keep that momentum going with this investment.”
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