Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1005920
W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 21 J U LY 2 3 , 2 0 1 8 F O C U S R E A L E S TAT E / C O N S T R U C T I O N / D E S I G N businesses, including Katadyn Products Inc., a Swiss maker of the portable UV water purifi er SteriPEN; Gel Hydration Technologies, a maker of hydration systems for dogs; GenoTyping Center of America, a genetic testing service; and Monoclonals, which makes antibodies used in diagnosing viral diseases. The JAX factor Another big step will be the August opening of the fi rst phase of Jackson Lab's 200 million mouse-breeding facility. e so-called Kingsland Crossing building is housed in a former Lowe's Home Improvement store. It will serve as a research and mouse- production lab, from which it can raise and sell research mice to researchers around the world. e site will initially have 80 to 90 employees and as many as 70 at capacity. It's expected that some of those prospective employees already live in the area, says facility director John Fitzpatrick. "But I know we'll attract others," he says. "One thing that will attract or repel them is the availability and price of housing." Residential projects already under- way in Ellsworth will provide options for a range of employees, from line staff to administrators, Fitzpatrick says. "I've spent a fair amount to time talking with developers who are work- ing in Ellsworth, trying to give them the lay of the land for [employee] demographics. Hopefully we've helped to convince a few of them to move forward on projects that they may have been or are currently considering." He notes that the city has available land for single-family homes. "A person can still aff ord to buy a half-acre downtown or two acres in the suburbs or 20 acres in the country and build a new house," he says. Construction boom In the past two years, the city has worked with developers, banks and Realtors to discuss housing needs and opportunities, says Cole. e city's technical review team seeks to ensure that project applications and execu- tion go smoothly, he says. (Wight and others credit city offi cials and depart- ments for their coordinated eff orts.) Housing is needed across the board, from workforce housing to higher-end accommodations, rentals to single-family homes, Cole says. "In the last two years, we've got about 140 new rental units in the pipeline that KW Commercial, a division of Keller Williams Realty kwmainecommercial.com (207) 879-9800 Don't you deserve an advocate in this fast-paced commercial real estate market? advocate in this fast-paced commercial real estate market? advocate A professional who will listen and then "go the wall" to help you execute? KW Commercial brokers are fully committed to the needs of their clients. Utilizing years of business expertise as well as unsurpassed market intelligence, KW Commercial brokers are uniquely equipped to assist clients in exceeding their business goals. Now, isn't that a team you want to join…? Call us today for a free consultation and find out for yourself ! Kirk Butterfield (207) 205-4007 Kevin Fletcher (207) 754-9311 Patrick Casalinova (207) 890-0713 Bill Sullivan (207) 415-7998 David Tucci (207) 252-3495 Marc Fishman (207) 671-6272 C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E »