SKOWHEGAN – Philanthropist Harold Alfond is offering to give the former Dexter Shoe Co. factory building to the town for free, with no strings attached.

John Emery, a lawyer for Alfond, presented the offer to the town’s board of selectmen Tuesday night. Alfond owned Dexter Shoe until 1993, when he sold it to investor Warren Buffett. But Alfond retained the title to the building and leased it to Dexter.

The company closed the 44,000-square-foot factory in April, putting 100 people out of work. Emery said the 1915 building is in “great shape.”

Alfond previously wanted to sell the building to the town for $600,000, its assessed value, Town Manager Patricia Dickey said. However, he had a change of heart.