The Brunswick Naval Air Station has a new name. The shutdown military air base will now be called "Brunswick Landing: Maine's Center for Innovation."
The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority unveiled the new name yesterday at its monthly meeting. The group is charged with sheparding the transition of the 3,300 acre facility, which has 2 million square feet of commercial and industrial space.
The former base also has 1,500 acres of green space and an aviation complex. The group says the newly-dubbed Brunswick Landing is expected to house high tech businesses, educational institutions and hotel and conference center facilities. It will also include housing.
Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe says the closure of the base is projected to cost the region 6,500 jobs and $140 million in annual income. She says legislation she's introduced in the Senate Commerce Committee will allow closed military bases to apply for grants aimed at establishing "science parks."
The facility's new name was selected out of 77 suggestions. The winning entry was submitted by students from Brunswick High School.