APNewsBreak: Maine plant that is nation’s last sardine cannery may have a buyer

APNewsBreak: Gov says deal close for sardine plant

PORTLAND, Maine — Maine Gov. John Baldacci says a deal is close to save the plant that is home to the nation’s last sardine cannery.

Bumble Bee Foods is shutting down the Stinson Seafood cannery in Prospect Harbor. Thursday is the last day of production.

A spokesman for the governor said Thursday that Bumble Bee has signed a nonbinding letter of intent with a seafood-processing company that is interested in buying the plant. A new owner would use the plant to process seafood, but probably not sardines.

The spokesman, David Farmer, says the deal could be completed by mid-May.

Farmer says the prospective buyer would give hiring preference to current employees and that the new operation could be up and running in August.

The buyer has not been named.