Says company will bring good paying manufacturing jobs to former Brunswick Naval Air Station
 
At a press conference in Augusta this morning Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joined Governor Baldacci in welcoming the Kestrel Aircraft Company to Maine.
 
“Anytime we can talk about new jobs coming to Maine is good news,” Pingree said.  “But today we are talking about good-paying, manufacturing jobs involving Maine’s growing composite industry, and that’s really good news.”
 
Kestrel has signed an option on a hanger at the Brunswick Naval Air Station, where it plans to begin initial production of its high-end, state-of-the-art turboprop aircraft.  Eventually Kestrel plans to create 300 jobs at its new facility.
 
The company’s single-engine aircraft is made of carbon-composite materials, and Pingree said the fact that they chose Brunswick to build the planes is a sign that the state’s composite industry is developing quickly.
 
“The composite industry is creating jobs in Maine,” Pingree said.  “Boat builders have been very successful with composite construction, the University of Maine is finding new uses for composites, and the former Brunswick Naval Air Station will soon have composite training facilities right on the premises.”
 
Pingree said the company could have located anywhere they wanted, but they chose Maine.
 
“Kestrel asked the tough questions about the capabilities that are available and it seems they like the answers,” Pingree said.
 
Explaining his company’s decision to come to Maine, Kestrel Aircraft CEO Alan Klapmeier said, “When it comes right down to it, it’s about productivity.  We believe that Maine people have an outstanding work ethic and that’s why we decided to locate here.”