WATERVILLE, Maine (AP) — Thomas College and the Maine Development Foundation are announcing a partnership that will provide workers in some Maine businesses with special rates to apply to the Waterville school and discounts for its courses. For all current employees of more than 140 participating businesses, the Thomas College Graduate and Continuing Education Division […]
economy
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
Biggest Maine blueberry harvest since ’00 expected
This year’s crop is projected to come in between 90 million to 95 million pounds, with the monthlong harvest kicking into gear the first week of August. If the yield reaches 90 million pounds, it would be the largest harvest since 2000, when production reached a record 110 million pounds. Maine’s blueberry crop has averaged […]
advertisement
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
U.S. economy looks weaker; business confidence dims
WASHINGTON — Businesses placed fewer orders for most long-lasting manufactured goods in June, suggesting many are losing confidence in the slumping U.S. economy. The housing recovery also lost some momentum last month as fewer Americans signed contracts to buy homes. A third report Thursday showed applications for unemployment benefits plunged last week — normally a […]
Posted inMaine
Maine’s economy shrunk in 2011
AUGUSTA — Maine was the only state in New England last year to see a reduction in the gross domestic product, which measures overall economic activity. “It is the primary measure of economic growth for each state,” said Mike Allen, associate commissioner for the Department of Administrative and Financial Services. Allen, an economist, serves on […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage: Economy growing stronger
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage sees an improving Maine economy as the summer tourism season begins. In his weekly radio address, LePage says traffic into Maine during the Memorial Day weekend was up, and campgrounds say reservations for the summer season are up by 10 percent or more. This means more money is […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Obama: Congress, Europe must stem economic crisis
WASHINGTON (AP) — The economy at risk, President Barack Obama accused Republicans on Friday of pursuing policies that would weaken the U.S. recovery. He simultaneously urged Europe’s leaders to prevent an overseas debt crisis from dragging down the rest of the world. At a White House news conference five months before Election Day, the president […]
Posted inBusiness, Nation / World, sj-web
U.S. employers waiting and watching before hiring
NEW YORK (AP) — Business has picked up. Yet American companies are too nervous to step up hiring. The economy seems so gripped by uncertainties that many employers have decided to manage with the staff they have. They aren’t convinced their customer demand will keep growing. Or they worry that Europe’s festering debt crisis could […]
Posted inBusiness, Nation / World, sj-web
Jobs report weakens Obama’s election argument
The economy, Obama conceded Friday, “is not growing as fast as we want it to.” Taking a harsher tone, presumed Republican rival Mitt Romney declared that the country appeared to be “moving backward.” He sought to drive home a political point from the nation’s first increase in joblessness in almost a year. After a winter […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
Maine home sales, prices go up in April
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A realty group says home sales in Maine have gone up for the ninth straight month. The Maine Association of Realtors says home sales rose by nearly 9 percent in April while the median sales price increased more than 4 percent, to $167,950. The group says home sales nationally rose about […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Moody’s revises Maine bond outlook to negative
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Moody’s Investors Service rating agency has affirmed Maine’s bond credit rating but revised its ratings outlook from stable to negative ahead of an upcoming sale of $55 million of bonds. State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin said Friday that the revised outlook is not good news, but will have no financial impact on […]