AUGUSTA (AP) – Gov. John Baldacci on Wednesday named most of the 25 members of a panel that will work with local groups in Brunswick and Topsham to redevelop the Brunswick Naval Air Station when it closes.

The Advisory Council to the Office of Redevelopment, Re-employment and Business Support is made up of local, regional and state officials. “We join today to recognize another important step in the successful redevelopment of Brunswick Naval Air Station,” Baldacci said.

The Base Realignment and Closure Commission voted Aug. 24 to shutter the Brunswick Naval Air Station as part of the military’s massive reorganization. Barring congressional intervention, the decision becomes final next week.

It’s expected to take six years to close the 3,200-acre base, which is home to P-3 Orion surveillance aircraft and C-130 Hercules cargo planes.

The Advisory Council group will focus on four areas: retraining workers, supporting existing businesses, recruiting new businesses and general development efforts, Baldacci told reporters at a Hall of Flags news conference.

Members include business leaders, union officials, legislative leaders, education leaders and a tribal representative.

The 25-member council will work with local redevelopment councils in Brunswick and Topsham to “bring together all of the needed resources and assets within our state to address this challenge,” Baldacci said.

“Although the closure announcement was the most unfortunate and ill-conceived decision, I believe that we must now look at this as an opportunity to redefine and move the Midcoast region and our state forward in a new direction,” he said.

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