Mainebiz

V O L . X X I N O. V I M A R C H 2 3 , 2 0 1 5 12 B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S N E W S F RO M A RO U N D T H E S TAT E T I Q A — Portland, ME Call Laura Blanchette 207.282.7697 "For a great partner and a great restaurant built, PM Construction is the best choice I know of. Responsive, effective, diligent, easy to work with and never comprises on quality." — Deen Haleem Owner, TIQA Restaurant Startup manufacturers being courted by incubator TechPlace, the new startup incubator at Brunswick Landing being developed by the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, is gearing up for its Phase II expansion, which would include both individual company and shared manu- facturing space. The incubator, which opened its offi ce space in January during Phase I opera- tions, has one tenant, Brunswick Landing Realty Development Corp., plus six other occupant companies that it terms "users." The occupants other than the real estate company are called users because while they enter into a year-long lease, they can break it at any time, without penalty, says Kristine Schuman, business development coordinator for MRRA who also is spearheading the TechPlace effort and redevelopment of the base. Schuman told Mainebiz during a recent visit to TechPlace that she expects Phase II, which will include industrial space with a fully equipped biotechnol- ogy laboratory and a machine shop, to start in April, pending the issuance of a permit for industrial use. If the permit is approved, the building will have about 70,000 square feet of industrial space and 20,000 square feet of offi ce space. So far, $1.5 million has been invested to develop and renovate the 20,000 square feet of offi ce space. Of that investment, $750,000 is from the federal Economic Development Administration and the rest is matched equally from MRRA and other partners, including the Brunswick Development Corp. The Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership will have offi ce space at TechPlace to work with businesses on manufacturing processes, plant layout and supply chain management. The industrial section, which will be done in two phases, will require several hundred thousand dollars more to develop the lab and other space and bring the former Navy building up to current building codes. The third space, which is industrial, is expected to be developed a year from now, Schuman said. In total, she said, 23 companies will be able to fi t into the offi ce, in individual offi ces and in a group suite with nine desks. The industrial space will contain about 25 spots for companies. Three companies are now looking at the industrial space: a composites company, a developer of engines for hydropower applica- tions and a manufacturer of clothing made from recycled materials, she said. Law fi rm Drummond Woodsum already has taken space in the offi ce part of the building to advise startups on legal matters. "Getting the industrial use permit will make a big difference," said Schuman. "Offering a small manufacturing space is key. It sets us apart from other shared offi ce space." She added that the location carries with it some advantages from being a former Navy facility. For example, TechPlace is in a Foreign Trade Zone, meaning a company can import parts, perform some manufacturing and then export them without incurring duties. Occupants also are eligible for Pinetree Development Zone benefi ts. It also is in a Historically Underutilized Business Zones area, which gives companies preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. — L o r i V a l i g r a C O U R T E S Y T E C H P L A C E / M I D C O A S T R E G I O N A L R E D E V E L O P M E N T A U T H O R I T Y TechPlace to enter Phase II of development, with a variety of manufacturing spaces. Phase I Shared office space Phase II Individual manufacturing space Shared manufacturing space

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