LePage Administration Welcomes Nation's Leading Organization on Military Base Redevelopment to Maine

Augusta, Maine - The LePage Administration helped kicked off the 2013 Base Redevelopment Forum in Portland today. Maine was selected to host the two-day forum, sponsored by the Association of Defense Communities, the nation's leading organization focused on military base redevelopment.

"As a state we are committed to the successful redevelopment of both former bases at Loring and Brunswick," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "Maine is an active partner in these redevelopment efforts, and it's that public-private partnership that is so critical to attracting new investment and new jobs to Maine."

Maine has a proud history of supporting redevelopment efforts at all its base properties and that investment is paying off.

The state has invested close to $8 million in the redevelopment of Brunswick Landing. Those funds have already helped leverage more than $100 million in private investment so far, and nearly $33 million in additional federal funds.

The goal of the Forum is to highlight recent success in Brunswick and at other base redevelopment projects across the country. Nearly 150 industry leaders representing redevelopment communities from across the United States will be in attendance.

"Maine literally has a seat at the table in the ongoing redevelopment efforts at both Loring and Brunswick," said Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Commissioner - George Gervais. As DECD Commissioner, Gervais serves as a member of both the Loring Development Authority and the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority.

The LePage Administration continues to fight for the interests of both base properties. During the most recent legislative session, Governor LePage fought to make permanent the sales and use tax exemption for aircraft and parts, a move that helped steer Tempus Jets and upwards of 200 jobs to Brunswick.

Governor LePage also vetoed a bill that would have essentially banned the research, development and manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles in Maine. If not for the veto, Loring would not have been able to compete for a piece of this growing industry. "It's all part of my goal to make Maine as competitive as possible," said Governor LePage. "Maine is open for business and I'm committed to keeping it that way."