While the overall results of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission were a mixed bag for Maine, details on one of the bright spots were released Thursday.

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service released the details of its proposal to expand its operations in Limestone. According to DFAS, the facility will grow from 352 employees to 662 by 2008, including 150 new workers in 2006, 84 in 2007 and 76 in 2008.

Communities affected by closing of the Brunswick Naval Air Station, a casualty of the BRAC process, won’t gain much comfort from Limestone’s growth, but for Aroostook County the new jobs represent a significant economic development opportunity. The DFAS expects between 10 percent and 20 percent of the jobs will be filled by people transferring from other parts of the country, and the rest will be open. The area benefits not only from job growth, but also from the new people who will be attracted.

The DFAS plan must be approved by the Department of Defense, which is expected to happen next week.

By front-loading the hiring process, Limestone can expect a solid boost from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service plan. Call it an early holiday present.