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 […]
business
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 […]
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Posted inBusiness, Local & State, 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, Local & State, 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 inLocal & State, 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, […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Maine may be open, but where’s the business?
Our avowedly pro-business governor, Paul LePage, has attracted plenty of attention while battling with Democrats who control the Legislature, and sometimes with fellow Republicans, too. But governors standing for re-election are judged at least as much for their handling of the economy as for any specific legislation. And on this account, LePage supporters might want […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Calories on menus coming in 2011
For some Maine restaurants, this was the last New Year’s Eve patrons could chow down blissfully unaware of how many calories they eat. Coming in 2011: A new law mandates that restaurant chains with 20 or more outlets post calories on menus as plain as the price. That will let consumers know if that six-piece […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Auburn Mall sold to George Schott
AUBURN – George Schott just closed a hummer of a deal. The local developer, entrepreneur and military vehicle vendor is the new owner of the Auburn Mall. “I think people think I did a fairly good job with refitting the Auburn Plaza,” said Schott of his former retail revitalization project. “I have the same goal […]