State's Indians want role in redevelopment

By KEVIN WACK
Blethen Maine Newspapers
Saturday, December 17, 2005

Maine's two largest Indian tribes are positioning themselves to play a role in the redevelopment of Brunswick Naval Air Station. The Penobscot Indian Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe expressed their interest in letters to the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The redevelopment process is still in its initial stages, but the tribes are ruling out such controversial ideas as a casino or a liquefied natural gas terminal.

"We're not interested in being mavericks," said Tim Love, an economic development adviser to the Penobscots.

Craig Francis, general counsel for the Passamaquoddies, said, "The tribe's thinking is that it's an opportunity that could be a win-win for everybody."

The Navy is scheduled to leave the air station in 2011, and the tribes appear to have some advantages over other potential developers of the 3,000-plus acres. For one, they have an opportunity to get a foot in the early because of a process that allows federal agencies such as the Interior Department to buy unwanted military property.

The two tribes believe they would make attractive business partners because their tribal status entitles them to tax breaks and provides an inside track on certain government contracts.

Right now, the Penobscots appear to have a clearer notion of what they'd do with the Brunswick property. Ideas include manufacturing a certain type of environmentally friendly wood-based product; doing aviation maintenance and manufacturing airplane parts; and production of renewable energy.

The tribe aims to form a partnership with an existing business, ensuring steady income stream back to the Penobscot reservation, Love said. The tribe would become more self-sufficient, and the midcoast area would benefit from the influx of jobs. The Passamaquoddies have the same general goal, but aren't yet publicizing any specific business plans.

"We're open-minded to anything," Francis explained. "It's going to really depend on how they think the land or the base is going to be redeveloped."

For both tribes, one major question is the potential cost of naval air station property. Following previous base closures, the Pentagon has given away the land, but the Pentagon says it will seek fair market value for the property in Brunswick.

Rep. Stan Gerzofsky, D-Brunswick, said preliminary overtures from the tribes have been well-received.

"Their initial contacts have been, 'We don't want to come to a place we're not wanted.

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December 2005 Reports

Last updated on December 19, 2005