Canadian Organics Company, Envirem, Announces Expansion to Maine

Envirem Organics Ltd. has chosen the city of Unity, Maine for its first facility in America. The Maine facility will house offices, warehousing, and distribution functions and is projected at full build out to create 30 jobs and $4 million of economic investment for the region.

Envirem is a Canadian-based, diversified environmental company, specializing in industrial and organic waste recycling and environmental sustainable waste diversion processes. Envirem chose Unity and the Kennebec Valley for its access to the New England organic lawn and garden markets, available shipping lanes, the environmental science programs at Unity College, the sustainable culture of the area, the local artisanal food movement, and proximity to New Brunswick, Canada where the company is headquartered.

“Unity and the Kennebec Valley region of Maine checked all the boxes for our first expansion into America,” Bob Kiely, President and General Manager of Envirem, said in a statement. “It provides the marketplace advantages we desire in terms of workforce, location, and infrastructure and the quality of life we want for our employees.”

The Kennebec Regional Development Authority (KRDA) has been working with Envirem on the expansion to Unity over the past several months, featuring the Kennebec Valley region’s sustainability assets and culture as part of its brand.

“We want to acknowledge the advice and assistance provided by the Kennebec Regional Development Authority,” added Kiely. “Their partnership has reassured us that we made the right decision.”

Envirem’s entry to Maine holds a lot of potential for the state’s logging industry, which has been awaiting assistance from the federal Economic Development Assessment Team in the wake of recent mill closures. Its products utilize a part of the tree that makes logging more profitable, representing the types of investments that offer actionable opportunity for the forest economy.

“As the transition point between the northern forest and market access, the Kennebec Valley is the ideal location for such value added wood products investments,” stated Brad Jackson, KRDA executive director. “Where some see a declining industry, we see tremendous opportunity for rejuvenation and this announcement validates that thinking.” 

Jackson expects Canadian investment in the Kennebec Valley to increase. Envirem envisions establishing upwards of a half a dozen operating sites throughout the region and across the state over the next 5-10 years with Unity representing the US Corporate headquarters for the company’s expansion plans. In addition, two firms from Montreal with interest in establishing lease holds at KRDA’s First Park campus will be attending the 2016 Maine Municipal Association Convention in October.