Washington County and the City of Eastport are the successful applicants for $1,423,480 in federal funding to create up to 70 jobs over a three-year period and the first marine renewable energy manufacturing facility of its kind in the United States. The grant will be used to establish the Maine Marine Energy Center (MEMEC), a tidal energy turbine manufacturing and assembly center to be located in the Eastport Business Development Center, the former Guilford mill on Route 190. Improvements to the building should be seen within the next six months.
     Collaborating with the county and city on the application were the Eastern Maine Development Corporation, Sunrise County Economic Council and Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) Maine LLC. ORPC Maine will assist project collaborators with identifying potential manufacturing companies and will be the anchor customer for MEMEC's first tenant, which will be a composite material turbine manufacturer.
     The county will serve as grant administrator and local disburser of the funds and will create a memorandum of agreement with the City of Eastport regarding the leasing of a portion of the city‑owned Eastport Business Development Center building and use of the funds. Washington County Manager Betsy Fitzgerald says, "This is a sterling example of how business, the municipality of Eastport and the county can work together."
    The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant is expected to leverage another $23 million in private investments. The successful grant application was submitted to EDA on April 20, 2010. Washington County is a Department of Commerce designated "significantly impacted county."
     ORPC has teamed up with several Maine composite companies, including U.S. Windblade, Custom Composite Technologies and Harbor Technologies, as well as the University of Maine, Maine Maritime Academy, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and the Eastport Port Authority, to create a tidal energy cluster in Maine. John Ferland, vice president for project development for ORPC Maine, says, "This project fits into a large picture of developing support services necessary for the company to be a success."
     Eastport City Manager Jon Southern says, "This is only the beginning. It is wonderful news, and now the real work begins in turning this funding into some high quality jobs." Southern credits his predecessor, former City Manager George "Bud" Finch, with starting the initial phase of the grant project. Southern says that it is rare that an award of this amount is made as a carrot to attract investors. "EDA has decided to take a such a risk," comments Southern.
     Tex-Shield, a current occupant of a portion of the business center, will not be affected by other uses of the building. Potential occupants will be 100% compatible, comments Southern. "We had to satisfy the EDA that it would be the case."
     U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins praised the funding announcement, stating, "This innovative project has the potential to create a significant number of jobs and other economic benefits in the Washington County region, and it also will help ensure that Maine continues to be at the forefront of the development of tidal power."
     Congressman Mike Michaud stated, "This initiative represents another important step forward for job creation and clean energy advancement in Washington County. Washington County's location and dedicated workforce make it an ideal place to grow our ocean energy sector."
     The funding is being distributed under the EDA's Community Trade Adjustment Assistance Program, which is aimed at helping communities adjust to increasing competition and at creating jobs to bolster the local economy.