GREENVILLE, Maine — A company that specializes in the manufacture of fur hats and other finished fur products expects to begin operations in Greenville by the end of September, bringing up to 20 new jobs to the town.
GlacierWear products are sold online only and are shipped to customers around the world, according to a press release issued Friday.
The Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corp. and the town of Greenville made the announcement Friday. GlacierWear, which has been in business since 1991, is moving an existing operation from Eureka, Montana, to 76 Spruce St. in the Greenville Business Center.
GlacierWear will occupy the entire 11,000-square-foot facility in mid-September, hiring five to seven workers in the beginning and eventually growing to a 20-person operation. The company signed a four-year lease with options for renewal for a total of 10 years possible occupancy at the business center.
“We’re pleased to be returning to Greenville,” said owners Randy and Colleen Richard, who previously lived in Greenville and owned and operated businesses there, according to the press release. “This feels like coming home!”
The Moosehead Lake Economic Development Corp. and the town have been working with Randy and Colleen Richard for nearly a year.
The Moosehead Lake Economic Development Corp. is a nonprofit corporation formed last year to support the economic betterment of the Moosehead Lake Region. The town leased the Greenville Business Incubator to the Moosehead Lake Economic Development Corp. this spring for it to seek businesses to lease space in the facility, renamed the Greenville Business Center.
“The Moosehead Lake [Economic Development Corp.] appreciates the opportunity given to us by the town of Greenville to market and operate the Greenville Business Center for the purpose of creating jobs,” said Chairman Luke Muzzy in the press release. “We’re pleased that GlacierWear will be leasing this space and adding much needed new jobs to our region.”
“The town of Greenville welcomes back the Richards and looks forward to having their business — GlacierWear — join our business community,” said Town Manager John Simko in the press statement.
The Richards indicated the state’s Pine Tree Zone program was instrumental in allowing them to move their business to Maine.
“The Maine Department of Economic Development was very helpful to us in our move. The payroll tax reimbursement in particular has been very helpful to us,” Randy Richard noted.
“For the second time in one week, we are celebrating the relocation of a manufacturing business from elsewhere in the U.S. to the great state of Maine,” said Gov. Paul LePage in the press release. “We are very pleased that Randy and Colleen Richard are returning to their Maine roots and bringing their business, GlacierWear, with them. Our state’s hospitable and business-friendly attitude have demonstrated that Maine is a place where Randy and Colleen’s business investment is welcome and appreciated. We couldn’t be happier.”