AUGUSTA (AP) — Mainers have approved at least five bonds designed to stimulate economic growth.
The largest bonds approved Tuesday would add $12 million to two state programs that provide loans to small businesses. Another would set aside $10 million for drinking water and wastewater treatment facility upgrades.
A $7 million bond aimed to bolster the state’s marine economy. Supporters say the proposal would add value to Maine’s lobster industry by finding new markets for lobster parts that currently get thrown away.
Two other bonds that were approved would fund research labs in Maine.
But a third research lab bond was too close to call early Wednesday. That proposal would put $3 million toward expanding a lab for the study of treatment and prevention of diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer and diabetes. At 6:30 a.m. with 84 percent of the vote reported, Question 5 was narrowly ahead, 51 percent to 49 percent.
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