AUGUSTA (AP) — A business that got its start overhauling military vehicles has been awarded a $19 million contract to refurbish 32 Massachusetts transit buses.

Maine Gov. Paul LePage said that the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority board of directors approved the contract with the Maine Military Authority in Limestone. He says the contract could increase to $24 million with optional and additional tasks.

The quasi-state agency has refurbished thousands of military vehicles at the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone since it began in 1997. It has moved to buses as military budgets have declined.

MMA spokesman Tim McCabe said rehabilitating the buses will increase the 12-year life expectancy of the vehicles by another six years.