PITTSFIELD -- It will be a turbo-charged schedule, Town Manager Kathryn Ruth says, but well worth it.

After landing a $880,000 federal stimulus grant two months ago, the town government is now preparing to start on a major expansion of its business industrial park this spring and finish, at most, a year later. Typically, such grant-funded projects allow a construction schedule almost twice as long, Ruth said.

But, Ruth noted, that's what the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is about: job creation and economic expansion, as soon as possible.

The Kennebec Valley Council of Governments assisted the town in applying for the Economic Development Administration Grant, which will go toward a $1.1 million expansion of the town's industrial park. The town's share, $220,000, will be covered with money the town has stockpiled over the years through the Community Development Block Grant program, Ruth said.

The 28-acre expansion on town-owned land has been talked about for decades. It would contain six lots and be adjacent to the existing 70-acre park, which has 12 lots off Somerset Avenue and is about a quarter-mile away from Interstate 95. The project involves installing water and sewer pipes and a road up to the new lots.

In 2003, the town conducted a review of community needs and determined that it needed to expand its economic base by attracting businesses dealing with precision manufacturing, advanced technology, wood products and financial services, Ruth said.

According to paperwork submitted for the grant, town officials estimate they can attract up to $4 million in private investment for the expanded industrial park buildings and, if all lots are filled with businesses, create 200 to 300 jobs as a result.

Town Councilor Caleb Curtis said he was especially impressed by the prospect of creating hundreds of new jobs.

"It's exciting to read this and think about the long-term effects," Curtis said.

On Tuesday, the Town Council authorized Ruth to submit the needed paperwork to federal officials that will enable work to begin. Ruth said a specific construction timeline still needs to be set, as well as descriptions of project responsibilities. Project bids will be sought this winter.

Ruth said such grant-funded projects typically allow up to three years for completion, but the stimulus grant requires the park expansion happen in about 19 months. Work must start within six months of receiving the grant and construction can last up to 12 months, Ruth said.

"We're planning (to finish) in fall 2010," Ruth said.

Though it's possible the main road into the new section of industrial park will be left as gravel and not paved until the following spring so that the ground has time to settle, Ruth said.

Ruth declined to name potential businesses interested in the expanded park area, saying the deliberations are confidential, though she noted eight businesses had expressed interest in October 2008. But that was before the economic recession got worse, she said.

"Our focus is on ... good-paying jobs, requiring a skill set so they can sustain and continue in the future," Ruth said.

Scott Monroe -- 861-9253

smonroe@centralmaine.com