The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, the organization managing the transition of the former Brunswick Naval Air Station from military to civilian use, honored three Brunswick Landing companies for innovative business practices at the MRRA annual meeting Wednesday. FirstLight Brunswick Data Center was named the most innovative business in the larger company category (10 employees, or more), while the Composites Engineering Research Lab was honored as most innovative micro business. Priority Real Estate Group of Topsham was named Developer of the Year, marking the first time the award has been given. “We’re delighted to see such exciting innovation continue at Brunswick Landing and Topsham Commerce Park,” MRRA Executive Director Steve Levesque said. FirstLight Brunswick Data Center FirstLight acquired Oxford Networks last year, and rebranded to First- Light earlier this spring. FirstLight operates 12 data centers/colocation facilities, including one at Brunswick Landing. The Brunswick Data Center is in a 52,513-square-foot former Navy operations and tactical support center. After a $6 million expansion in 2014 that quadrupled capacity in the building, FirstLight now operates one of the largest data centers in Northern New England. Composites Engineering Research Lab The Composites Engineering Research Lab was started by the Maine Composites Alliance as a support mechanism for Maine industry and began operations in 2011 at Southern Maine Community College’s Brunswick Landing campus. CERL outgrew its initial lab space at SMCC and moved to TechPlace in 2015. CERL is a full- service analytical laboratory and a prototype manufacturing center. Industries served include: wind / hydrokinetics, marine, aerospace, and semi-conductor assembly. All these industries utilize polymer reinforced systems which is the basis for the definition of composites. “ We focus on helping our customers solve problems to maximize their success, whether that requires us to help in project development, product development, or process development, in addition to our full range analytical lab capabilities” Andrew Schoenberg, CERL Director said. Priority Real Estate Group The Priority Real Estate Group, founded in 1998 by President and CEO James Howard, a Topsham native, has been among Brunswick Landing’s most active investors and developers since the redevelopment project began six years ago. Priority currently has more than 120,000 SF under lease and has redeveloped five former Navy buildings. Priority has also built two new buildings — Sunray Animal Clinic and Rusty Lantern Market. A third 12,000 SF medical building is under construction on Bath Road. Plans are in the works for more construction along Admiral Fitch Ave. Over the past few years, Priority has purchased four former Navy buildings from MRRA and has tenants in each of them, including Wayfair, Pathways, Midcoast Veterans Council and Skordo. Priority is also leasing an additional building from MRRA with an option to purchase. North East Mobile Health Services is leasing the building from Priority. “Priority Group is honored to be recognized by MRRA for our contribution and investment at Brunswick Landing,” Howard said.
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