Paris officials hope they’ll make the list and they’re working to make it so. So far, only 25 of Maine’s 492 towns and cities have been certified “Business Friendly” by Gov. Paul LePage’s administration. State officials say only 35 have applied for the designation by filling out a seven-page application that includes narrative answers and […]
business
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn continues review of Growth Council contract
AUBURN — Councilors on Monday said they wanted to pick and choose which parts of a proposed Twin Cities economic development contract they wanted to fund. “It seems to me that we are the stewards of taxpayers’ money,” Councilor Joshua Shea said. “It’s about getting the best bang for our dollar, not about seeing what […]
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Posted inBusiness, sj-web
After abysmal attendance for past two months, the Maine Jump might shut down on Nov. 1
BANGOR — Barring a large uptick in business to finish the month, The Maine Jump will close its doors Nov. 1, according to owner Ryan Hatch, who attributes the potential shutdown to a nosedive in attendance this fall and poor management decisions. Maine Jump is an inflatable play place, featuring slides, climbing walls, obstacle courses […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Bar Harbor businesses stay busy despite Acadia National Park closure, but hotels suffer
BAR HARBOR — Eleven days into the closure of Acadia National Park, the local business community is becoming more anxious about what sort of impact a longer-term federal government shutdown might have on the area’s tourism industry. According to a national group that advocates for national parks and their employees, the closure of the federal […]
Posted inLetters
F. Koris: Overzealous environmentalists
A recent Sun Journal article showing Maine’s business climate and economic standing to be last in the nation brings to mind what may have been missed opportunities. For instance: the Dickey-Lincoln hydroelectric proposal (remember the Furbish’s lousewort?), an oil refinery in the Eastport-Machias region, a plan to develop an eco-friendly resort community in the Great […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
Belfast designated as “business friendly”
BELFAST (AP) — Belfast is the latest Maine community to be designated as “business friendly” by the state. Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner George Gervais will present Belfast with a “certified business-friendly” certificate and road signs on Monday. Twenty-four Maine towns and cities have earned the “business-friendly” designation since the program was launched […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
Verso posts $39 million loss in second quarter of 2013, says natural gas delivery costs partly to blame
Citing high natural gas delivery costs in Maine Verso Paper Corp Friday reported a net loss of $39.2 million in the second quarter of 2013. In a release the company stated its operating loss for the quarter was $8.5 million which compared to a loss of $9.5 million for the second quarter of 2012. “Last […]
Posted inFranklin
One pledge leads to another and another and another
JAY — In a matter of minutes, members of the Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls Chamber of Commerce pledged $900 for the Packs for Progress program at their Friday meeting. The United Way of the Tri-Valley Area, Farmington Rotary and BigLots! in Farmington have partnered to offer backpacks stuffed with school supplies for children in […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Omnicom, Publicis to combine into biggest ad firm
PARIS (AP) — Omnicom Group Inc. and Publicis Groupe SA say they are combining in a “merger of equals” that will create the world’s largest advertising firm, one worth more than $35 billion. The combined company will be called Publicis Omnicom Group and be jointly led by Omnicom CEO John Wren and Publicis CEO Maurice […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
What’s the plan for Maine’s economy?
As Maine struggled to recover from a major recession in the early 1990s, Gov. John McKernan and lawmakers formed the 19-member Maine Economic Growth Council and charged it with developing a long-term economic development strategy for the state. Council members toured the state and held focus groups to craft a statewide plan. But soon after, […]