On July 14, the Navy Exchange (NEX) at Naval Support Activity Maine (NSA Maine) celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated expansion with a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“A lot of time, heart, and soul went into upgrading the NEX,” said Capt. Jesse Nice, shipyard commander. “I’m excited for this new opportunity that will provide more support to our Sailors, workforce and the 1,000 new hires we’ll have. Thank you all for the hard work to make this happen.”
The long-awaited expansion enhances services for Sailors and the civilian workforce, ultimately allowing for a greater focus on the shipyard’s vital mission. To meet the needs of personnel working across first and second shift, the NEX now offers food options that accommodate, work schedules. The additional space has been transformed into a welcoming dining area.
“A lot of thought went into this process, with a continuous focus on supporting the mission,” said Joe Tempesta, NEX manager. This could not have happened without the amazing team here.” Two years in the making, the expansion introduces convenient new features, including a roller grill and grab-and-go items like breakfast sandwiches, chicken wings, and chicken tenders.
“It was well worth the investment to make this a more sustainable environment for the workforce,” said Capt. Bryan Kupyar, NSA Maine commanding officer. “Our people are the most essential part of what we do here, and it’s important that we continue to support them with investments like this.”
Hours of operation for the NEX: Monday to Friday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Closed on Sundays.