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Economic Development

  • Upgrades planned for Darling's Waterfront Pavilion

    March 24, 2016

    Big changes are on their way to the 16,000-capacity Darling's Waterfront Pavilion in Bangor as the venue's summer concert season gears up for its first series of shows.

    March 24, 2016
  • There's much to celebrate at Brunswick Landing

    James McCarthy March 21, 2016

    Without question Brunswick Landing's redevelopment is accelerating after gaining traction thanks to the persistent efforts of the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority team ably led by Executive Director Steve Levesque.

    James McCarthy March 21, 2016
  • Portland looks to establish Office for New Americans

    March 16, 2016

    Portland City Council's Economic Development Committee will be holding a public hearing next week to discuss the founding of an Office for New Americans, an entity that would assist immigrants in starting a new business and entering the workforce.

    March 16, 2016
  • Maine unemployment rate lowest since 2001

    March 15, 2016

    The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that Maine's unemployment rate hit its lowest point in over a decade in January, dropping by 3.8% across the state from the 4.9% estimate of one year ago.

    March 15, 2016
  • Portland program pairs employers with general assistance job seekers

    March 9, 2016

    Portland's Helping Individuals Regain Employment program, administered by the Social Services division of the city's Health and Human Services Department, has seen early success in its push to create employment opportunities for general assistance

    March 9, 2016
  • Darling's Auto plans $5M Augusta expansion

    March 8, 2016

    The Darling's Auto Group dealership in Augusta this summer is slated to move into a new and larger facility with an expanded service bay, which is expected to improve customer service and allow Darling's to become a Business Choice Dealer, which

    March 8, 2016
  • Chamber leader: Funding cuts would threaten L/A business climate

    March 8, 2016

    Matt Leonard, who has led the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce less than a year, is wasting no time getting involved in local politics.

    March 8, 2016
  • CEI's new CEO is a familiar face in Maine

    March 7, 2016

    Coastal Enterprises Inc. announced that its board of directors has unanimously chosen Betsy Biemann as the organization's next CEO. It also promoted Keith Bisson to the position of president.

    March 7, 2016
  • Development heats up in Milbridge

    March 7, 2016

    Representatives of a handful of businesses and organizations that have opened or relocated here say Milbridge is a good place to be, the Bangor Daily News reported.

    March 7, 2016
  • Village Capital to invest $50K to assist Maine startup

    March 4, 2016

    A Utah-based venture capital firm has announced that it will team up with a Maine group to assist a startup with financing in addition to connecting the entrepreneurs with potential investors and markets.

    March 4, 2016
  • Why is Wayfair bringing 1,000 jobs to Maine? Financials hint at the answer

    James McCarthy March 1, 2016

    Wayfair Inc.'s fourth quarter earnings report, released on Feb. 25, may provide part of the story behind the Boston-based home furnishings e-commerce company's recent announcement that it's bringing nearly 1,000 jobs to Maine.

    James McCarthy March 1, 2016
  • Business leaders, Bangor Chamber support alternative wage hike

    February 29, 2016

    A recent proposition to increase the minimum wage of workers across the state by The Maine People's Alliance is being presented with an alternative program that's gained support from The Bangor Chamber of Commerce.

    February 29, 2016
  • Business owners, city officials look to reactivate noise committee

    February 25, 2016

    A Portland committee that has been dormant for the past two years could soon be reactivated following a 'Noise Downtown' meeting at Portland City Hall yesterday.

    February 25, 2016
  • Gov. LePage vies to make Maine No. 1 in maple production

    February 25, 2016

    And we're off – at a slow, syrupy pace that is – as the unofficial start of the Maine 2016 maple tapping season has begun across the state.

    February 25, 2016
  • MDF, UME study examines seasonality of Maine's tourism

    February 25, 2016

    More than half of Maine's total lodging sales have consistently come in June, July and August, while the “shoulder season” months of May, September and October have consistently generated only 25-28% of Maine's annual lodging sales.

    February 25, 2016
  • Wayfair lease gets unanimous approval from city officials

    February 24, 2016

    The online home furnishing retailer that plans to bring nearly 1,000 jobs to Maine has cleared a hurdle in the city of Bangor, where the company plans to bring 450 new jobs.

    February 24, 2016

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Today's Poll

Do you support an increase in Portland's minimum wage?
Choices
Poll Description

The Portland City Council is weighing a controversial proposed hike to the city’s minimum wage.

The proposal would increase the minimum wage from $15.50 per hour to $20 per hour within four years. (The statewide hourly minimum wage is $14.65.)

The proposal does not include a wage hike for tipped workers who are currently paid an hourly wage of $7.75, but employers are required to ensure that wages and tips combined total $15.50 per hour. 

While inflation pressures have made it hard to survive on the minimum wage, many business owners are concerned the hike would cut already thin margins.