data centers rural economy Maine redevelopment industrial repurposing Tony McDonald Androscoggin mill

The Androscoggin paper mill in Jay, Maine, once a cornerstone of the local economy, employed up to 1,500 workers at its peak. The facility, located 67 miles northwest of Portland, met its demise in 2020 when a pulp digester explosion forced its permanent closure.

In 2023, the 1.4 million-square-foot property was acquired through a joint venture led by developer Tony McDonald and JGT2 Redevelopment, alongside several holding and capital companies. Over the next three years, McDonald’s team dismantled the mill’s machinery and shipped it to Pakistan while remediating the industrial site for resale.

The cleanup and redevelopment efforts culminated in a finalized resale agreement earlier this year. The transformation of the abandoned mill into a modern data center campus represents a significant economic shift for rural America.

The new data center, valued at $250 million, is now operational and has already begun attracting tech companies to the region. This project underscores the growing trend of repurposing industrial sites into high-tech infrastructure, particularly in areas seeking economic revitalization.

Source: The Verge
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