DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- An old mill that has been empty for years is being re-purposed into a centerpiece for the downtown area of Dover-Foxcroft.
The former Mayo woolen mill is being turned into a mixed use facility complete with retail shops and restaurants, a business center, boutique hotel and 22 private apartments. The project is costing $11 million, which includes a $1.5 million investment from the federal Economic Development Administration to create one of the largest geothermal heating and cooling systems in the county. County officials hope this project will draw more people to downtown Dover-Foxcroft.
"This is the largest single economic development project in all of Piscataquis County's history. All the downtowns in Piscatiquis county need revitalization. We have people now who will be living downtown, they'll be shopping downtown, they'll be using the merchants downtown," said Ken Woodbury, Co-Director of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council.
Construction on the project is expected to be completed in March of 2015 and tenants should be able to move in by May. According to project organizers, the new businesses should create more than 40 new jobs in downtown.
