Staff Writer
The former head of Bath Iron Works wants to use the DC hangar at Loring Commerce Centre to compost cow manure produced by a feedlot he operates in neighboring Fort Fairfield.
Aroostook Republican photo/Debra Walsh
The DC hangar at the Loring Commerce Centre is being eyed for use as a composting facility for a waste produced by a cattle feedlot operation in Fort Fairfield. The compost could be used as fertilizer by potato growers, according to project officials.
William Haggett, who spent most of his adult life building ships, is the chief executive officer of Pineland Farms Natural Meats Inc. The farm, with offices in New Gloucester, operates a feedlot with about 1,100 head of cattle and has plans to expand.
Haggett approached the Loring Development Authority of Maine last Wednesday to discuss using the DC Hanger, one of two large aircraft hangars on the former Air Force Base, to compost the waste material produced by the animals. Haggett said that the manure, coupled with the bedding material used for the cattle, a compost could be produced that may boost potato yields by about 30 percent.
During the past winter, the company experimented with composting outside.
“Outside in this climate is a challenge,” Haggett said.
The building would be mainly used as a shelter and would not require heating, according to LDA President Carl Flora.
“You do have a large hangar that has been under utilized for over 10 years,” Haggett said to the LDA board. “We believe it would work.”
Flora said that the DC hangar’s flat roof is constructed in segments, with each part draining in a central area. Because the huge structure, which encompasses 4.5 acres of space, is not heated because of the cost, the pipes alternately freeze and break.
“This building may have some utility for the use that Bill suggested,” said Flora.
Haggett said that local farmers could use the compost produced as fertilizer. Any concerns regarding odors or run-off would need to be addressed before any agreement is final, Haggett said.
“If you support the plan, we know we have to comply with all regulations,” said Haggett.
No decision was made by the LDA board.
In addition to Pineland Farms, Haggett has been involved in several Aroostook County endeavors, including Naturally Potatoes in Mars Hill and as a consultant for Irving Forest Products when a large wood products plant was contemplated for the nose dock area on the former base.
In other business, the LDA board approved a proposal by Al Cyr of A&J Industries to use a nose dock hangar for storing and processing firewood.
Last year, the company purchased Kevlar, a Van Buren-based bark mulch packaging company. A&J has developed a market for its firewood with Home Depot.
According to LDA officials, the demand for the consumer firewood pack has become so strong that A&J needs more production capacity.
The 28,000 square foot building would house woodcutting, spitting and packaging operations. It would also house raw and finished inventory, according to LDA officials.
The deal includes a five-year lease with an option to buy the property during year three or four of the lease.
Flora also said that a formal announcement regarding Loring BioEnergy LLC may be made later this summer. The project plans to produce electricity in the base’s former heating plant.
The principle in Loring BioEnergy is Hayes Gahagan.
According to Flora, a tax increment financing agreement has been approved by Limestone officials and has been forwarded to the state for final approval. Survey work has been completed and documents needed to complete the real estate transaction have been prepared.
