Maine Defense Industry Alliance Announced in Sanford

A metal lathe operator at work

Photo: U.S. Navy

Some of Maine’s top political leaders visited Sanford on Friday, March 1, 2024, to announce the rollout of a $6.5 million training partnership involving Maine’s major defense contractors, the U.S. Navy, York County Community College (YCCC) and others.

The announcement of the Maine Defense Industry Alliance was held at YCCC’s precision manufacturing training site in Sanford’s industrial park, which should see new investments.

“The partnership was created to attract and train thousands of new employees to perform critical jobs in Maine’s defense industrial base,” according to a joint press release.

Attending the event were U.S. Senator Angus King, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, Gov. Janet Mills, the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition and representatives of several of Maine’s defense employers, including General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and Compotech. Educational partners in attendance included representatives from the Maine Community College System, the University of Maine System, and Maine Maritime Academy.

FMI