The Mills Administration announced Tuesday, Wiscasset and five other communities will receive technical assistance from the state to support locally determined revitalization projects at current and former industrial sites to create good-paying jobs, drive local economic development, and meet state climate and clean energy goals.  

Wiscasset, Auburn, Bucksport, Lincoln, Millinocket and Yarmouth have been selected by the Governor’s Energy Office and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development to participate in the state’s Maine Community Energy Redevelopment Program (MECERP), funded through the Governor’s Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan. The program will provide technical assistance to help revitalize former mill sites, power stations, and other facilities with available or excess electrical capacity.  

“As Maine’s clean energy economy continues to grow, legacy sites with underutilized electrical infrastructure have an opportunity to capitalize on the transition through redevelopment,” said Dan Burgess, director of the Maine Governor’s Energy Office. “Through MECERP, Maine communities will receive expert guidance and technical assistance as they work to revitalize these iconic sites to create high quality jobs and drive economic development in their regions.” 

The Town of Wiscasset is conducting economic development planning for two large waterfront sites: the 33-acre Birch Point Peninsula, best known for the decommissioned Mason Station site, and the 297-acre parcel along Old Ferry Road across the road from the decommissioned Maine Yankee nuclear power plant.

“Wiscasset is thrilled to receive technical assistance through MECERP to help us initiate a critical planning exercise for all the underutilized energy assets and land in the Mason Station and the Maine Yankee Nuclear Plant corridor,” said Wiscasset Economic Development Director Aaron Chrostowsky. "We envision a mix of different economic and community development uses for the sites, to be determined through a robust stakeholder and community engagement process.”