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Home > Executive Order

03 FY 06/07
August 25, 2005

AN ORDER CREATING THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF REDEVELOPMENT AND RE-EMPLOYMENT

WHEREAS, on August 24, 2005, the U.S. Department of Defense, through its Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC), voted to close the Brunswick Naval Air Station;

WHEREAS, BRAC will be forwarding the report of its votes to the President of the United States no later than September 8, 2005;

WHEREAS, the President of the United States is authorized to approve or reject the report of the Base Closure and Realignment Commission;

WHEREAS, in the event that the President approves the report, the United States Congress will be authorized within 45 days from the date of the President’s transmittal of the report to Congress to adopt a joint resolution disapproving the report;

WHEREAS, in the event that the Congress fails to adopt a resolution rejecting the report, the Secretary of Defense will be authorized to close the Brunswick Naval Air Station;

WHEREAS, Department of Defense has projected a timeline for the reduction of personnel at the Brunswick Naval Air Station as follows:

 

Brunswick Naval Air Station Personnel Reduction Timeline:
Year Civilian Personnel Military Personnel
2009
5 civilians
820 military
2010
15 civilians
841 military
2011
41 civilians
643 military

 

WHEREAS, the impact of the closures will have a substantial impact upon the Towns of Brunswick and Topsham, the region, and the state as a whole;

WHEREAS, the Towns of Brunswick and Topsham have formed a task force and undertaken initial reviews of the utilities, housing, industrial and general civil infrastructure, and have made preparations for creating a master plan for reuse and redevelopment and job creation;

WHEREAS, the state recognizes the need for a Brunswick/Topsham local redevelopment authority (LRA) that will, in partnership with the state, develop a master plan for the reuse and the redevelopment of the Brunswick Naval Air Station;

WHEREAS, the Federal Department of Labor granted a National Emergency Preparedness Grant to the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL), which has enabled MDOL to begin an assessment of worker skills and opportunities for retraining;

WHEREAS, the Commissioners of the MDOL and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development and members of the Governor’s staff have been working in partnership with the Brunswick/Topsham task force to assess how the state can coordinate its resources in order to efficiently and effectively assist the Brunswick/Topsham LRA in developing and implementing reuse and redevelopment plans;

WHEREAS, the state and the Towns of Brunswick and Topsham have reached an agreement that outline the general principles guiding the state and local partnership;

WHEREAS, a strong collaboration is critical for obtaining federal funds, developing comprehensive, long term, best use alternatives for the Brunswick Naval Air Station, and ensuring viable economic development;

WHEREAS, local and state involvement in, and coordination of, the Brunswick/Topsham LRA will enable the state and the LRA to obtain the maximum amount of available federal funding for the reuse and redevelopment of the Brunswick Naval Air Station and provide for the coordination of interdepartmental efforts in order to fully effectuate the LRA’s reuse and redevelopment plan:

NOW THEREFORE, I, John E. Baldacci, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby establish the Governor’s Office of Redevelopment and Re-employment, and create the Redevelopment and Re-employment Advisory Council.

  1. Governor’s Office of Redevelopment and Re-employment.
    1. Purpose and Charge
      The Office shall have three principle functions:
      1. To coordinate all Maine executive branch departments through one single point of contact and accountability for all post-BRAC actions taken;
      2. To assist the Brunswick/Topsham Local Redevelopment Authority; and
      3. To deliver a comprehensive response for economic development and workforce and community assistance for the Brunswick/Topsham region impacted by the closure of the Brunswick Naval Air Station.
    2. Duties and Responsibilities
      The duties and responsibilities of the Office are as follows:
      1. Make available to the Brunswick/Topsham LRA and to the surrounding region generally, through the Office, planning resources of the State Planning Office, economic and community development resources of the Department of Economic and Community Development, workforce resources of the Department of Labor, resources of the Department of Environmental Protection, transportation and infrastructure planning resources of the Department of Transportation, education resources of the Department of Education, and health services of the Department of Health and Human Services;
      2. Assist the Brunswick/Topsham region in developing a plan and strategy for re-employment of its workforce;
      3. Work with Maine’s congressional delegation in order to manage the relationship with the U.S. Navy during the disposition and reuse process;
      4. Work with the Brunswick/Topsham LRA regarding funding for planning and redevelopment efforts;
      5. Assist the Brunswick/Topsham LRA with the federal, state and local property screening process;
      6. Cooperate in the formation of the Master Plan for reuse and redevelopment of the Brunswick Naval Air Station; and
      7. Apply for funding of its operations through grants available from the federal office of the OEA.
    3. Office Structure
    4. The Office shall have a Director, who shall participate in meetings of the Governor’s Cabinet. The Director shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governor. The Director shall be assisted by staff as necessary and appropriate to carry out the functions of the Office.
  2. Advisory Council
    1. Purpose and Charge
      The Council shall assist the Office in carrying out its duties and responsibilities and advise the Office regarding a comprehensive economic redevelopment and job creation strategy that is coordinated with the goals of the Brunswick/Topsham LRA.
    2. Membership
      The Governor shall appoint the members to the Council. Membership shall consist of the following: members from the Brunswick/Topsham area; at least one member with job development and/or economic development resource expertise; at least one member with ties to the labor force; at least one member with ties to the private sector; at least one member with a expertise in business development; at least one member with private sector finance expertise; at least one member with expertise in affordable housing; and at least one member with land use planning or architecture expertise. In addition, the following state agencies shall be represented: the Department of Labor and the Department of Economic and Community Development. The Council shall be chaired by Director of the Office. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor without compensation or reimbursement.

      The Council shall meet monthly or as needed and at such times and locations as determined by the Chair. The Chair may appoint subcommittees or take such other administrative actions as may be appropriate to accomplish the work of the Council.
    3. Responsibilities and Duties
      The Council shall advise the Office regarding the Brunswick/Topsham LRA’s reuse and redevelopment and reemployment master plan and the most efficient and effective means of implementation. The Council shall also recommend draft legislation, should it be necessary, to assure that the Office’s reuse and redevelopment policy is carried out in a timely and sustainable manner.
    4. Support
      The Council shall be staffed by members of the Office.
  3. Effective Date
    The effective date of this Executive Order is August 25, 2005.

 


_____________________________
John E. Baldacci
Governor