BREWER -- Governor John Baldacci and other state and local officials turned out today for the grand opening of Cianbro's latest facility on the site of a former paper mill.

"This is a great moment, not just for Cianbro, but for this city, the region, and our state," said Cianbro Chief Executive Officer Peter Vigue.

The Pittsfield-based construction company, one of the largest on the East Coast,
has already started work on its first contract at the Eastern Manufacturing Facility. Work started in March on a 15-month multi-million contract to build massive modules for a Texas refinery expansion project.

Also at the opening were company officials, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, U.S. Congressman Michael Michaud, Brewer Mayor Manley DeBeck and other dignitaries.

Cianbro refurbished the old Eastern Fine Paper Co. mill to create the facility. The 41-acre complex was rebuilt to create a 250,000-square-foot pad where the modules will be built and a deep-water dock on the Penobscot River to transport goods. The completed modules will be floated down the river and on to Texas.

The first completed modules are schedule to leave for Texas in November.

Cianbro's contract with Motiva, a joint venture of Shell and Saudi Aramco, is part of a $5 billion refinery expansion. Cianbro's multi-million contract will employ about 500 workers for 15 months.