One North

We are thrilled to announce that the U.S. Department of Transportation, through the CRISI Program, has awarded over $53 million for freight rail upgrades in rural Maine. Included in this funding are funds that will reestablish the rail spur from the Millinocket Rail Yard to One North and restore sidings within the One North Bio-Industrial Park, providing critical rail access for current and future tenants. With this improved infrastructure, companies will be able to efficiently receive key materials like wood fiber and other bulk goods, while distributing products sustainably through NBM Railways. These new connections will link One North to three major Class I railroads: Canadian Pacific in Brownville, CSX in Mattawamkeag, and Canadian National in Madawaska. This was Maine Department of Transportation's second attempt at securing this award, and their unwavering support throughout the process has been impressive and deeply appreciated. Special thanks to Nate Moulton, Director of Freight and Passenger Services, for his leadership. We also want to recognize Ian Simpson and Brad Peters of NBM Railways for their tremendous collaboration and shared long-term vision. Their investments in Millinocket and the broader Maine rail network demonstrate a strong commitment to the future of the region. This investment will significantly enhance One North's competitiveness. Prospective tenants look for key infrastructure to be in place when selecting a site, and this project ensures we are well-positioned to attract new industries. Additionally, the upgrades will make the regional rail network safer—a vital improvement for efficient, long-term operations. We extend our deepest thanks to Senator Susan Collins, whose leadership was instrumental in securing this funding, as well as Senator Angus King and his team. This achievement is a true collaboration, reflecting the dedication of our public and private partners. This is a major step forward for the Katahdin Region, supporting economic growth, the Maine forest products industry, and sustainable new ventures. We are excited to see the positive impact these improvements will bring to One North and the broader community!

We’ve just received updated renderings of the E&R building and innovation campus, courtesy of EPA’s LR consulting team at ICF and Stromberg/Garrigan & Associates, Inc. These new designs provide a clearer vision of our future goals, showcasing a modern and sustainable space for innovation, collaboration, and growth in the heart of the North Maine Woods. US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

We are grateful! The 2024 Katahdin Summit has concluded and we were thrilled to host leaders from the forestry, academic, non-profit/NGO, aquaculture, tourism, and government sectors to share ideas about the future of the Katahdin region. We had a brilliant group of panelists and an equally engaged and thoughtful group of participants. On behalf of all of us at Our Katahdin and One North, we would like to extend a huge thank you to the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development for helping to sponsor this energizing, catalytic event and to all of our speakers and participants who have generously dedicated their time to the future of the Katahdin region. Here's what we discussed: 1. Innovation and Technological Developments to Drive Economic Revitalization Description: Exploring how cutting-edge technologies and innovative startups, e.g. AI-driven mapping, data analytics, and tourism apps, drive economic growth and revitalization in rural areas. (special thanks to our panelists, Shay Bellas, Aaron Weiskittel, Jack Lesko, Sarah Delmar) 2. Wood Fiber Exploitation in a Changing Environment (Climate & Economy)? Description: Discussion of sustainable forestry practices, engineered wood products, mass timber and related products, and climate effects from the prevalence of invasives to changing wood species. (special thanks to our panelists, Steve Sanders, John Godfrey, Stephen Rice, Shane O'Neill, and Eric Kingsley.) 3. Sustainable Food Production, An Aquaculture/Agriculture Symbiosis Description: Advancing sustainable food production through new technologies in aquaculture and agriculture, such as controlled environment agriculture (CEA), precision farming, and IoT-enabled devices, to enhance efficiency and sustainability. (special thanks to our panelists Des FitzGerald, Devon Robinson, Frank Simon, and Dean Guest) 4. Social Factors in Rural Development Description: Addressing the critical role of social infrastructure, housing, educational development, healthcare and rural migration patterns in fostering sustainable development. (special thanks to our panelists Senator Angus King, State Economist Amanda Rector, Matthew Polstein, Bob Peterson, and Rob Riley)

We’re thrilled to share that CIANBRO's earthwork contractor, Sitewerx, has successfully completed the paving work at our One North site last week, with the paving done by Hopkins Paving. This milestone was made possible through the EDA Infrastructure project funding, marking another significant step forward for One North. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to build a brighter future for our community and drive sustainable growth in Millinocket.

It's Maine Forest Biomaterials Week at the University of Maine! Maine's abundant forests offer a renewable resource for innovative companies to use forest fiber in new industrial processes and products. Wood-derived cellulose nanofibrils (CNS) were highlighted at the conference for use in products ranging from food packaging and building materials to fire retardants. Amazing!

Join Mainebiz at the scenic Hillcrest Golf Club for On The Road Millinocket! Engage in meaningful conversations with local and regional business leaders dedicated to the growth of this Maine community. ?? Attendance is free but space is limited so be sure to register in advance! https://ow.ly/bxIa50T7RN3 Presenting Sponsor: Maine Technology Institute Regional Sponsors: Katahdin Trust, Maine International Trade Center

Last Thursday, Our Katahdin and Sevee & Maher Engineers, Inc. hosted a pre-bid site visit for the EPA Brownfields tank farm and rail corridor cleanup project at One North. This project involves cleaning two massive #6 fuel oil tanks with a 2.3 million gallon capacity, along with the abatement and demolition of defunct paper mill infrastructure. Another significant step forward in redeveloping the One North site! Cleanup kicks off this fall and wraps up in 2025.?

We're thrilled to announce the installation of a new truck scale by CIANBRO at the Golden Road entrance to our industrial site. This state-of-the-art scale, part of Our Katahdin's EDA Infrastructure project, is designed to handle extreme use from off-highway loads on the Golden Road. This upgrade marks another step forward in enhancing our site's infrastructure and ensuring efficient operations.

We're enhancing our industrial site in the heart of Millinocket with new overhead and underground electrical infrastructure, supported by the EDA Infrastructure project and Greenbacker Community Solar. Our vision is to lead in sustainable product development and manufacturing, meeting global demand responsibly. Stay tuned for the commissioning of Greenbacker's community solar project in the 3rd Quarter of 2024!??

We're thrilled to share the latest update on our ongoing efforts at the One North site, thanks to the EPA Brownfields Cleanup grant. Recently, we completed crucial clearing work as part of the #6 Fuel Oil Tank Farm & Rail Corridor project, setting the stage for transformative developments ahead. Check out the before and after photos! This summer marks a significant milestone as we prepare to clean out the two massive 2,300,000-gallon tanks. Our comprehensive plans include removing the final remnants of #6 fuel oil, demolishing outdated piping connected to the steam plant, and conducting assessments for potential future uses like biofuel storage. These steps are pivotal in our commitment to sustainable redevelopment.