Gilbane Building Company and Landry/French Construction named for land-based salmon farm in Belfast, Maine.
In a press release, Nordic Aquafarms President Erik Heim wrote that the 850,000 GSF aquaculture production facility will be built in two phases, with the first phase targeted for completion in 2021.
NAF had initially hoped to start construction this year.
“We are committed to delivering high-quality seafood with low environmental impact and take pride in the sustainable practices embedded into every facet of our business. By partnering with Gilbane, an experienced builder of food production facilities and a company that shares our commitment to environmental stewardship, we’re confident that the Belfast site will serve as the future of land-based seafood production in the United States. We are excited for the opportunity to expand the relationship with Gilbane as a national service provider to include future projects as NAF grows,” said Heim.
The proposed layout of the site features nine buildings, including hatcheries, freshwater juvenile facilities (smolt buildings), grow-out facilities, and peripheral support facilities such as office space, a central utility plant, and a water treatment plant. Electrical infrastructure will include a substation, back-up generation, and fish processing.
Gilbane – a 145 year-old company – turned over recorded almost USD 6 billion in revenue in 2018. The company said it will draw upon its experience constructing Constellation Brands’ 983.5-acre brewery expansion project in Mexicali, Mexico, as well as the 260,000 square foot Kerry Innovation and Technical Center. Located on a 124-acre parcel in Beloit, Wisconsin, this campus for Kerry’s worldwide food production houses over 800 employees.
“Nordic Aquafarms’ innovative land-based farming method is poised to transform the U.S. market for fresh farmed fish. As a leading builder of manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Gilbane will leverage our vast experience in constructing complex and varied food production facilities in making that mission a reality while Landry/French, a leading contractor in Maine, will bring the local knowledge and key relationships to this important project,” said Mike O’Brien, head of Gilbane’s Boston and Northern New England offices. “We share Nordic Aquafarms’ commitment to sustainability and minimal environmental impact and are extremely excited to break ground on this pioneering project.”
