NORWAY – The town of Norway, hobbled by manufacturing job losses in the past decade, will receive $1.9 million in federal money to develop the first environmentally sensitive business park in New England.

The announcement was made late Friday by U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and by Maine’s congressional delegation.

Norway officials could not be reached for comment.

According to Gutierrez, the money will help finance road construction, water and utility infrastructure and advanced communications and data service for the park, which is expected to include 10 buildings of varying sizes.

The project is expected to create 500 “good-paying” jobs and leverage $50 million in private investment, according to the commerce secretary.

The park, to be developed on Roberts Road off Route 117 in Norway, will be surrounded by conservation land with public walking and nature trails, and will be designed to protect the panoramic views of Pennesseewassee Lake, surrounding mountains and woods.