CAMDEN, Maine — Redzone Wireless LLC will make a former mill as its new headquarters, bringing nearly 24 jobs to Camden.
The Internet company also has entered into an exclusive 30-year contract with the University of Maine System to use the Educational Broadband Service spectrum granted to Maine’s universities by the Federal Communications Commission to eventually provide high-speed wireless Internet service throughout much of Maine.
The announcement on the Camden headquarters was made Thursday by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. The company plans to invest more than $5.6 million in the developments.
“Broadband access is critical to doing business in today’s world,” said Gov. Paul LePage in a news release Thursday. “Not only is Redzone Wireless creating new, good-paying careers and bringing new investment to Maine, it also is planning to provide a much-needed service that in the long run will help make our state more competitive in the global economy. ”
Town Manager Patricia Finnigan said town officials welcome the news.
“This is very significant for us,” she said. “Not only the jobs but the technology that will be available to us, businesses and visitors.”
The company will open its headquarters in part of the former Knox Woolen Mill located in downtown Camden within a week or so. The former mill building also had been the home of MBNA until it moved its operations to Belfast.
“Expanding access to high-speed broadband networks has been a critical public service and economic development priority for Maine’s public universities,“ said University of Maine System Chief Information Officer Dick Thompson in a news release about the agreement with Redzone. “The public-private partnership we have established with Redzone Wireless leverages our resources to provide rural businesses and residents alike with new connectivity and high-speed access to the Internet.”
This will be a giant leap in technology, said Redzone Vice President Michael Forcillo on Thursday.
Instead of extending fiber optic lines, a series of towers will be erected that will allow the wireless service to reach a large part of the state, said Forcillo, adding that this public-private partnership will help Maine close the gap on access to broadband Internet.
A majority of the state will be able to be connected within two years, according to Forcillo.
Redzone intends to provide a new affordable broadband service option for residential and business customers throughout the state, according to the company. Redzone will begin operating a 4G LTE advanced wireless broadband network during the first quarter of 2015, pending final approval from the Federal Communications Commission. That approval is expected by the end of the month.
“We are extremely grateful to the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development for recognizing the economic potential of Redzone Wireless LLC and supporting our eligibility to participate in this valuable program,” said Jim McKenna, Redzone Wireless president and chief executive officer. “We believe that the Pine Tree Development Zone program is essential to our expansion, and we are confident that Camden will be an excellent location for our business development.”
The state has certified the mill for participation in the Pine Tree Zone program. This designation makes the company eligible for a variety of incentives.
The town manager said the discussions between the town, state and Redzone have been ongoing for the past few months.
Residential and business customers in selected Maine areas also will be able to sign up for broadband service on the new company website in the first quarter at www.redzonewireless.com.