PORTLAND, Maine - A Maine company that makes specialized swabs for coronavirus testing is teaming up with a construction company and a defense contractor to boost production. Officials say Cianbro is providing a building in Pittsfield and helping set up a new production line for Puritan Medical Products; Bath Iron Works is making 30 machines that Puritan needs to increase production.
The Trump administration is providing $75.5 million to Puritan through the Defense Production Act to boost its monthly production.
Sen. Susan Collins says Puritan's production will double to 40 million of the swabs per month. Officials say the effort will create as many as 150 jobs.