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Lewiston-Auburn punches above its weight : despite escalating costs, development continues as L/A addresses housing shortage
No full textAndroscoggin County\u27s two largest cities are experiencing a housing shortage similar to every other major employment center in the state, dues to escalating construction costs and erratic economic policy coming out of Washington.
Both Auburn and Lewiston have been actively pursuing more development, and there are multiple housing housing projects currently under construction with more in the pipeline
A STEM program that feeds career growth : a biomedical program trains future researchers, but federal funding cuts jeopardize its own outlook
No full textLed by the Bar Harbor bio lab, Maine INBRE (Maine Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence) is a consortium of 17 education and research institutions that collaborate to strengthen Maine\u27s competitiveness in biomedical and biotech careers
Mass timber expands building options : but, for now, it\u27s not produced locally
No full textThe use of mass timber (the use of large, engineered wood panels, often paired with engineered wood columns, and beams) is starting to find more favor among architects, engineers, and builders in Maine who value its structural stability, light environmental footprint, and the wood\u27s natural beauty. An an example, Portland Museum of Art intends to use mass timber for its future expansion project. To date, there isn\u27t a mass timber manufacturer in New England
Storm brewing for coffee roasters : tariffs, inflation, and property tax hikes spell higher prices
No full textWith recent tariff hikes imposed by the Trump administration on several countries where coffee is grown: 50% on India and Brazil, which is the world\u27s largest coffee grower, costs have escalated to the point that U.S. roasters find price increases impossible to avoid. Mary Allen Lindemann, owner of the Portland-based company, Coffee By Design, says they are doing everything possible to not raise prices. She also describes the challenging costs related to doing business in Portland
New life for funeral homes : disruption comes to a traditionally staid industry
No full textArticle\u27s publication coincides with the opening of Conroy-Tully Walker\u27s new funeral home in Portland\u27s North Deering neighborhood, which is among many family-owned funeral businesses in Maine. Economic pressures, changing customer preferences, and new technologies are reshaping the industry. While some owners are adamant about keeping the business in the family while pursuing expansions and new business models, selling to an outside buyer is also an option in a highly fragmented industry that\u27s attracting strategic and financial investors alike
One-stop shop for funding : the Maine Funding Network hosts funding and counseling agencies as a platform to help entrepreneurs
No full textBefore the Maine Funding Network launched, business owners didn\u27t always know where to turn to find public and nonprofit funding and consulting sources. An initiative of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, and the Finance Authority of Maine, the network hosts public, nonprofit, and alternative funding and counseling agencies. The centralized platform is designed to help borrowers navigate the options
Setting the tone for a hopeful 2025 : Maine\u27s economic forecast calls for cautious optimism, but expect some ups and downs along the way
No full textMainebiz writers list their business and economic predictions for the year, including words from various Maine corporate leaders. Their predictions include anticipated trends in hotel, hotel, tourism, restaurant, and retail development, as well as social services, infrastructure, and housing conditions in Maine
Green and growing : three startups powering Maine\u27s eco-economy
No full textArticle highlights three green economy startups in Maine: Amply Energy, of Cumberland- which created software for measuring interior spaces and 3D visualizations, ReVision Energy, of South Portland- a solar energy company, and Revert Technologies, of Brunswick- using AI-powered technology for designing energy-efficiency for their clientele
Going against the grain : Allagash Brewing founder Rob Tod puts a priority on sourcing local ingredients
No full textRob Tod, founder of Allagash Brewing Co. in Portland, is an industry pioneer and James Beard Award-winning brewer who has put a priority on sourcing grain from Maine growers, reducing waste and investing in clean water conservation. This year, Allagash will be recognizing their 30th anniversary in business
Filling a niche : sparked by an idea, small business owners go all-in to build their enterprise
No full textNiche small businesses are pretty much a brand for Maine, where owners build on a robust legacy of individual skill and enterprise. They range from a blacksmith who forges Japanese-style knives, to a self-taught maker of complex stairways, to a locally-sourced lumberyard. Common themes? A drive to navigate the journey from personal interest to enterprise, honoring heritage while rolling out new ideas