LINCOLNTON, N.C. — When Bruce Cochrane’s family furniture company became an empty factory, he wouldn’t drive by the building, even though it was just a short ride from home. There were just too many memories of what was — and what he was sure would never be again. Five generations of Cochranes had been furniture […]
jobs
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
Maine jobless rate at 7.1 percent in February
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Labor Department says the state’s unemployment rate was 7.1 percent in February, up slightly from January and down from 7.9 percent a year ago. Labor Commissioner Robert Winglass said 50,100 people were without jobs during the month, down 5,200 from February 2011. Maine’s jobless rate remains below the national […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine theme park ready to hire 250 for summer
SACO, Maine (AP) — It’s still winter, but Maine’s largest amusement and water park is preparing to hire 250 workers for the summer season ahead. Funtown Splashtown USA in Saco is holding a job fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Ramada in Saco. Seasonal positions include ride operators, water slide attendants, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
1,200 collected pension, salary in Maine last year
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — There were more than 1,200 public employees in Maine who collected a salary and a state pension at the same time last year. Ten of those so-called double dippers earned an average of $168,000 each last year according to data from the Maine Public Employees Retirement System shows. Seven were school […]
Posted inLetters
J. Mailey: Things might get worse
High, long-term unemployment, more folks without health insurance, high mortgage foreclosure rates and an infrastructure that is crumbling around us — sound familiar? It should, because I am talking about Maine and its residents. We are facing those issues and more, with no relief in sight. Actually, it may get worse due to increasingly higher […]
Posted inLetters
C. Morrison: Vision for the long term
I am drawn to recent comments of Labor Commissioner Robert Winglass about the skills gap in Maine (Feb. 19). Sadly, it is true that some Maine employers are offering good jobs at high wages but cannot find workers with the skills to do those jobs. Even before the recession, a national survey of employers revealed […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Detroit automakers on hiring binge in race to keep up with sales
DETROIT (AP) — Auto sales are growing so fast that Detroit can barely keep up. Three years after the U.S. auto industry nearly collapsed, sales of cars and trucks are surging. Sales could exceed 14 million this year, above last year’s 12.8 million. The result: Carmakers are adding shifts and hiring thousands of workers around […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Rumford voters OK creation of 3 TIF districts to grow jobs, economy
RUMFORD — In 20 minutes Thursday night, less than two dozen voters approved creation of three tax increment financing districts to grow jobs and improve the River Valley economy. There was little discussion at either meeting or the 20-minute public hearing beforehand. Selectmen must now wait and see if and when investors take notice that […]
Posted inOp-Eds
“Open for business” door swings both ways
While the Appropriations Committee was struggling mightily to do the near-impossible – avoid devastating cuts to the state’s Medicaid program proposed by Gov. Paul LePage – a report on jobs came out that was equally devastating. Based on U.S. Census reports, the Maine Center for Economic Policy says that Maine was one of only six […]
Posted inOur View
Wind power: $1 billion and growing
In Washington and Augusta there’s been much debate about energy and energy policy in recent days. Gov. Paul LePage and President Barack Obama — on the very same night — made energy production a significant component of speeches addressing the State of the State and the State of the Union, respectively. Not surprisingly, the president, […]