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July 25, 2016 Edition
Focus on Real Estate/Construction/Design

IDEXX, Unum Group go beyond the cubicle with open office spaces

Laurie Schreiber

IDEXX wanted to do away with the old-style rows of cubicles and high partitions with its latest expansion.

  • It's states vs. feds as Congress rules on GMO labeling

    Lori Valigra

    In an effort to head off what was seen as a patchwork quilt of state labeling laws for foods that contain genetically modified organisms.

  • Women in business: Wherefore the gender question?

    Lori Valigra

    During a recent interview with Deanna Sherman, president and CEO of Dead River Co., the inevitable question of gender in the executive suite came up. Inevitable, I say, because gender disparities in position, title and pay remain in many workplaces, so the gender question likely will remain until we reach parity.

  • Opinion
    Opinion

    Word-of-mouth advertising has subtle meanings

    It's always interesting to me how businesses can thrive while being completely under the radar. One company immediately comes to mind: Warren Construction Co. in Freeport does not have a sign on its headquarters and even its trucks have relatively subtle branding compared to some of its competitors.

  • Opinion
    Opinion

    Letters from Mainebiz readers

    Nomination for 'iconic brands' listI look forward to each and every issue of Mainebiz — you are the best.

  • How To's
    How To's

    How To: Calculate the social return on investment to make better decisions

    Rachel Bouvier

    Many projects fail to be accepted by the community or encounter unexpected roadblocks, even though they seem profitable on paper. Just because a project has a financial benefit doesn't mean that it is beneficial overall, or even that it's a good idea.

  • In Short
    In Short

    IN SHORT

    New hiresNewHeight Group, a real estate development firm in Portland, hired Tom Federle and Erin Cooperrider as development partners on its new project, Luminato Condominiums.

Today's Poll

Is it time for the Federal Reserve to start cutting interest rates?
Poll Description

Over the past several months, banks and other businesses have been looking for the Federal Reserve Board to cut interest rates, but the waiting game continues.

Basing its decision on new economic reports, the Fed on May 1 said it doesn’t plan to cut rates until it has “greater confidence” that inflation is slowing toward the central bank's 2% target. Three rate reductions have been projected for 2024, likely starting in June.

But for now, it appears the key borrowing rate in the U.S. will stay at a two-decade high of roughly 5.3%.

Keeping the rate so high for so long may tame inflation, but can also discourage new investment and business growth.

“The Fed is really stressing the banking industry,” said Andrew Silsby, president and CEO of Augusta-based Kennebec Savings Bank, in a Mainebiz story last month. “The economic environment is really quite difficult, but I haven’t quite figured out whether we’re through the storm or in the eye of the storm.”

More Information