August 25, 2025Edition

A roundup of new hires, promotions and achievements at businesses, nonprofits, health care institutions and professional services firms in Maine.

Annie Leahy, executive director of Mechanics' Hall, talks about an initiative to fill empty downtown storefronts with art installations to "tell a visual story" about what the space cold become.

Mainebiz contributing photographer Jim Neuger spends an afternoon on Moosehead Lake's historic "steamship" Katahdin, known to fans as the Kate.

The Queen City is getting a lot more interest in retail coming downtown. “People want to do business with somebody local," says one entrepreneur, capturing the sentiment in the downtown community.

Fox Family Potato Chips is one of several Maine companies tackling a longstanding issue of the need for processing operations. We also talk to a grain processor in Skowhegan, a tortilla maker in Scarborough and a meat processor in Aroostook County.

Across Piscataquis County, employers in sectors from health care to manufacturing and hospitality are improvising to hire and retain employees.

Orono Lofts will be a three-story, 40,000-square-foot building at 74 Mill St. The building was originally constructed in the 1800s as a church before being converted for Byers Manufacturing.

Fancy job titles skirt the core purpose: making the sale. Employees may understandably assume the role is about maintaining current accounts, networking or promoting products — not actively pursuing new business.

Captain Mowatt’s makes 33 different hot sauces, barbecue sauces and other spicy condiments.

For many years, products grown and harvested in Maine were sent out of state to be processed. But that's changing.