BUCKSPORT — Maine Maritime Academy has signed a purchase and sale agreement with American Iron and Metal (AIM) for a six-acre parcel of the former Verso paper mill in Bucksport.
The school intends to create a training center, the Center for Professional Mariner Development.
“The agreement is expected to be finalized following a 60-day due-diligence period, after which a closing date will be determined,” said MMA spokeswoman Jennifer DeJoy in a press release issued Tuesday.
“The center will provide state-of-the-art training for undergraduate students, professional mariners and workforce development,” DeJoy said. “For professional mariners, the center will meet the demand for highly specialized courses that enable mariners to receive certification and credentialing to meet maritime regulatory and industry-sector demands.”
The center will be a public-private venture.
“Maine Maritime Academy’s new Center for Professional Mariner Development will be an auxiliary enterprise, the revenue from which will support the college’s mission and programs,” said MMA President William Brennan. “A phased approach will ensure that we can steward the finite resources MMA has to devote to the enterprise while simultaneously cultivating private funding.”
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