Brunswick Naval Air Station has its first tenant.

Gov. John Baldacci says Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University plans to establish a permanent location after the Navy base closes in 2011.

Embry-Riddle, which was founded in 1926, has residential campuses in Arizona and Florida.

Embry-Riddle already has been offering courses in Maine since 1981 and at the Navy base since 1994. It offers both classroom and distance learning undergraduate degrees in aircraft maintenance, aviation maintenance management and professional aeronautics.

Under the arrangement, the Brunswick center becomes a formal campus.

Embry-Riddle becomes the third educational facility committing to either relocate or expand at Brunswick Naval Air Station. The others are Bowdoin College and Southern Maine Community College.