BRUNSWICK, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- An aircraft manufacturing company has decided to build its factory in Wisconsin instead of Maine. Kestrel Aircraft was the first major tenant for Brunswick Landing, the site of the former Naval Air Station. The company has been doing research and development for its newly-designed corporate airplane from offices in a hangar at the former base.
On Monday, Kestrel announced the plane will actually be built in Superior Wisconsin. Steve Levesque of the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority says Kestrel told him of the decision Sunday night. Maine had been in a bidding war with Wisconsin and several other states for the Kestrel plant, after the company ran into problems getting all the financing it needs to start up production. Levesque says Kestrel will keep a facility in Brunswick, where it plans to finish the airplanes, including painting, installing interiors and electronics., and final delivery to the customers. Levesque says Kestrel estimates that will employ about 100 people. The plant in Wisconsin is estimated at employing 300 to 600 people.
Levesque says he's "disappointed" by the decision, but says Brunswick and Maine offered everything they could to help Kestrel locate here. He says Wisconsin was able to provide the company with more money more quickly, which was what they needed.
Levesque says keeping those 100 Kestrel jobs in Maine is good news, and says Brunswick will keep working with the company to help get that operation up and running.
NEWS CENTER