Maine Marine Energy
Center
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
The Maine Marine Energy Center (MEMEC),
to be located in the Eastport Business Center (former woolen mill) on Route
190, is envisioned to be a marine renewable energy manufacturing and
assembly facility for complex composite hydrokinetic turbine foils and other
ocean energy sub-assemblies. Initially, MEMEC will be focused on serving the
tidal energy industry, and ultimately, will serve multiple project
developers in the entire ocean energy industry in the Northern Atlantic/Bay
of Fundy area and potentially worldwide. It would utilize the significant
export assets of Eastport’s deep-water port.
MEMEC will produce significant
economic benefits in Washington County and the region, including job
creation and retention, private capital investment and new market creation
for Maine’s composites industry. It will also initiate the commercialization
of tidal energy development in the United States and advance ocean energy
manufacturing and assembly in the U.S.
A Collaboration of Regional
Partners
Washington County, a Department of
Commerce (DOC) designated ”Significantly Impacted County,” is the lead
applicant on a grant proposal to the DOC’s Economic Development
Administration (EDA), administrators of the “Community Trade Adjustment
Assistance (TAA) Program.” The proposal, which asks for federal funding of
$1,423,480, was submitted to EDA on April 20, 2010.
Collaborating with the County on
the application are the City of Eastport, Eastern Maine Development
Corporation (EMDC), Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC) and ORPC Maine,
LLC (ORPC). ORPC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ocean Renewable Power
Company, a Maine-based tidal energy technology and project developer. The
County will serve as grant administrator and local disperser of grant funds,
will create a Memorandum of Agreement with the City of Eastport regarding
the leasing of a portion of the city-owned Eastport Business Center and use
of the EDA funds, and will attract a manufacturer to the facility with the
assistance of SCEC. ORPC will assist project collaborators with identifying
potential manufacturing companies and will be the anchor customer for
MEMEC’s first tenant composite material turbine manufacturer. EMDC and SCEC
have been instrumental in making renewable energy projects a priority for
Washington County through the Eastern Maine Comprehensive Economic
Development Strategy (CEDS), and provided technical assistance on the grant
application.
Purpose of Funding
EDA funding would help pay for
building upgrades as well as manufacturing equipment necessary to create the
first marine renewable energy manufacturing center for composite
hydrokinetic turbine manufacturing and assembly in the US. It is hoped that
the federal investment in the facility will help entice a manufacturer to
the building, which is currently being used at 50 percent capacity.
The creation of MEMEC aligns with
existing efforts by industry associations in Maine and the Maine
International Trade Center to highlight the state’s competitive advantages
for creating a successful ocean energy industry, close gaps in the
manufacturing and service supply chain link, and help generate investment in
the industry.
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