By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — While wind power projects of all shapes and sizes have generated plenty of dialogue throughout northern Maine, the turbines that will be tested at the Loring Commerce Center are like no other.
As announced by Carl Flora, president and CEO of the Loring Commerce Centre during the last Loring Development Authority Board meeting on Sept. 14, Massachusetts-based Altaeros Energies has arranged to conduct a test this fall utilizing the arch hangar and a portion of Loring’s airfield.
“The company’s innovation is an airborne wind turbine in a helium-filled housing which ascends to an altitude of 500 feet or more,” he explained to board members, adding that the generated electricity is transmitted to the ground through a tether cable.
According to Flora, Altaeros will be operating out of the arch hanger for several months while their testing program in under way. Four to eight Altaeros employees are anticipated to test the lofty turbines at Loring for up to three months.
Altaeros was allowed to occupy the centre’s arch hangar through extensive cooperation with the building’s current tenant; SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation) was utilizing the building’s abundant space to develop lighter-than-air platforms, like airships and aerostats. Plans to manufacture a new FAA-certificated airship designed to operate in both manned and unmanned configurations have not come to fruition. As the hangar’s space was not being utilized, SAIC officials allowed Altaeros employees to share the building’s ample space.
While interest in the airships is reportedly strong particularly among two major customers, potential purchasers’ financial constraints have delayed any work orders; as Flora told his board, all of SAIC’s highly specialized employees at Loring have been laid off at this point.
“SAIC would like to remain in place for the time being, but we all acknowledge that their operations here will not be sustainable without the airship orders,” Flora said. He was slated to meet with company officials this week to discuss ways that SAIC can maintain its presence at Loring during this time of diminished government spending and military contracts.
But while some Loring operations are feeling economic strains, others have found opportunity; Flora announced to his board that, according to Sitel Site Manager Robbie Jalbert, a contract with Sovereign Bank has been secured which will directly lead to the hiring of an additional 51 employees.
Flora also announced to his board that there’s also a new director at DFAS-Limestone, Larry Lovelette. Former director of DFAS-Limestone Wayne Ingle has taken a new assignment at DFAS-Indianapolis.
“I’d like to extend our congratulations to Mr. Lovelette as the new director of DFAS-Limestone and offer any assistance we are able to provide,” Flora said. In addition to a new director, the site also has a new deputy director, Shawn McCracken, who came to the area from DFAS-Columbus.
