LEWISTON — The state of Maine may start its own visa program to help bring more direct foreign investment here, according to Maine Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner George Gervais. The state is looking at establishing a state-run EB-5 regional center, Gervais said. EB-5 visas provide foreign nationals with a way of obtaining green […]
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In Portland, panhandlers cause friction amid growth of tourism, homelessness
With the U.S. Supreme Court declaring last week that bans on panhandling are unconstitutional, what’s seen as growing visibility of panhandlers in Portland has some in the city’s thriving tourism industry concerned the practice may make the city less attractive to visitors. Visitors interviewed on Congress Street, however, said they largely ignore panhandlers. And people […]
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LePage administration wants to deregulate Maine’s lodging
AUGUSTA — The governor wants to level the playing field between formal lodging places and homeowners who rent out rooms, homes or cabins to travelers, not by licensing the homes, but by de-regulating all hospitality businesses. The comment by Holly Lusk, senior health policy adviser for Gov. Paul LePage, was made Monday morning during a public […]
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Getting ready for tourism season
We will have more information from the conference later.
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Digging out, digging in and digging it — Maine’s snow businesses happy with Juno
But overall the Twin Cities and Maine in general handled Juno with relatively little pain, according to state and local officials. “We’re doing pretty good,” said Joanne Potvin, the director of Androscoggin County’s Emergency Management Agency. Potvin said overnight Tuesday there were no reported incidents, and that agency activities were largely back to normal returning […]
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Holiday weather boon for some, bust for others
“With over 30 inches of snow on the ground, a few hours of warm weather is not a concern,” said Chris Farmer, the general manager of Saddleback Ski Area near Rangeley. Maine’s notorious, if not fickle, winter weather this year has given plenty of snow to some parts of the state dependent on winter tourism […]
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Report: National Park Service visitors spent $8.5 million less in Maine in 2013
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK — Visitors to Maine’s only national park are estimated to have generated $191.5 million for the state’s economy last year, according to the federal agency that runs the park. A new National Park Service report also indicates spending by visitors to Acadia and to the Saint Croix Island National Historic Site in […]
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Is Maine ‘China-ready’? Surge of Chinese tourists in US expected in next five years
PORTLAND — Chinese tourism to the U.S. is expected to explode in the next five years, and while Maine isn’t first on the newcomers’ itineraries, some forward-thinking entrepreneurs in the state are positioning themselves to capitalize on the influx. Capt. John Nicolai of Bar Harbor is among them. He’s learned to speak Mandarin for giving […]
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High-priced, under-the-radar rentals alter Maine’s lodging landscape
PORTLAND — With this week’s unofficial arrival of the summer tourism season, visitors to southern Maine have more lodging options than ever – including ones that some people consider illegal. Corey Saentz’ three-bedroom apartment on Munjoy Hill in Portland is ready for short-term renters, and is equipped with local works of art, kitchen tools, bedding […]
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Tourism outlook good, experts say
BELFAST — Every year on Memorial Day weekend, Maine’s coastal communities shake off the sleepiness of the long winter and spruce up for the arrival of the summer tourists, whose dollars help fill the coffers of local businesses and keep many Mainers employed. This year, despite the cooler-than-usual temperatures and an abundance of rain leading […]