Ecoshel, A Cedar-Shingle Manufacturer, To Open Former Levesque Sawmill In Ashland, Maine
06/12/2013
Over the last two years, Ecoshel has been in beta production of their Smart-Shingle System, premium cedar shingle panels for roofing and siding, at a facility in Gainesville, Ga. The company decided to build its permanent manufacturing facility in Maine to be closer an abundant source of northern white cedar and its proximity to the nation’s largest cedar shingle markets in New England, Ecoshel CEO Kirkey said. In addition to processing northern white cedar, Ecoshel will import western red cedar from the Pacific Northwest.
"When we made the decision to set up an advanced manufacturing system in Maine, I contacted Commissioner Gervais and Rosaire Pelletier of the Maine DECD to see if they could help,” said Kirkey. “I'm very thankful for how hard they have worked to make this possible, and for all of the well-run, well-designed programs that businesses need to grow and create jobs, especially in this economy."
The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development expedited a Maine Rural Development Authority loan for the company. It also connected Ecoshel with the Maine Technology Institute, Community Development Block Grant program, and Finance Authority of Maine.
Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner George Gervais said, “Ecoshel’s President and CEO Bryan Kirkey has made a commitment to this state by literally trucking his production equipment to this site over the last week. Once set up, Ecoshel will be well situated to tap into the shingle siding demand that is the greatest right here in New England.”
“The Ashland area has experienced numerous mill closings over the past several years resulting in the loss of over two hundred direct jobs,” said Ashland Town Manager Ralph Dwyer. “Ecoshel will be a welcomed addition to Ashland and a boon to the local economy. The Town of Ashland is looking forward to working with Ecoshel.”
Project Announcements
South Korea-Based SPC Group Plans Burleson, Texas, Production Operations
02/05/2025
Diageo North America Plans Montgomery, Alabama, Manufacturing-Warehouse Operations
02/05/2025
Octillion Power Systems Establishes Reno, Nevada, Battery Manufacturing Operations
02/05/2025
Letica Expands Fulton County, Kentucky, Operations
02/05/2025
Japan-Based Murakami Manufacturing USA Expands Taylor County, Kentucky, Operations
02/05/2025
Hex Armor Expands Grand Rapids, Michigan, Operations
02/05/2025
Most Read
-
2024's Leading Metro Locations: U.S. Cities on the Rise Amid an Economic Reshuffling
Q4 2024
-
The Workforce Factor: How States Are Competing to Build Tomorrow's Talent
Q4 2024
-
Best Practices in Incentives Procurement
Q4 2024
-
Five Strategies to Tackle the Data Center Talent Shortage
Q4 2024
-
Microsoft-Three Mile Island Deal Could Signal Path for Nuclear Power to Strengthen Partnerships with Big Tech
Q4 2024
-
Industries Look for Employees in Nontraditional Spaces Amid Labor Shortage
Q4 2024
-
Why Decarbonization Goals Start with Site Selection
Q4 2024