Mainebiz

V O L . X X I V N O. X V J U LY 2 3 , 2 0 1 8 6 Maine ranked low for business by CNBC CNBC's latest scorecard of where to do business in the United States puts Maine near the bottom, tied at No. 4 with Rhode Island and dead-last on workforce. e media outlet looked at more than 60 measures of com- petitiveness in all 0 states, assigning rankings with input from a broad and diverse array of business and policy experts, offi cial government sources, the CNBC Global CFO Council, the Young Presidents' Organization and the states themselves. Researchers then separated those metrics into 10 broad categories, weighted based on how frequently each is used as a sell- ing point in development marketing materials. Texas shone at No. 1 over- all, followed by Washington, Utah, Virginia and Colorado, while Alaska fared the worst at No. 0. "Quality of life is high in the Pine Tree State," CNBC said, "but the poor workforce and infra- structure are negatives for business." Second crane for Maine's largest port Portland has a second crane to handle growing freight volume at the International Marine Terminal. e new mobile-harbor crane arrived from Germany on July 10 and was lifted onto the pier the next morning. " e addition of the new crane will not only help with supporting opera- tions at the IMT, it will give our part- ners confi dence that we can reliably service growing demand," Jonathan Nass, deputy commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation, said. He added that while the origi- nal crane reliably serviced Eimskip B U S I N E S S M A I N E Business news from around the state S T A T E W I D E BUSINESS | CYBERSECURITY | CRIMINOLOGY | EDUCATION 207-859-1159 thomas.edu/mba Expand your knowledge and ADVANCE YOUR CAREER with a graduate degree. New map highlights growing farmer market trends B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r PITTSFIELD — A new "trail map" offers food buyers a guide to farmers' markets from Bath to Lubec. The Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets has released the full-color Farmers Market Trail map features 20 markets. A brochure includes a description of each market, sug- gestions for free outdoor activities near each and original artwork depicting each market's character. An earlier version of the Farmers' Market Trail, from 2015, focused on Washington County. Leigh Hallett, executive director of the Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets, told Mainebiz the expanded map builds on Maine's strength as a local foods provider. Maine has ranked No. 2 on the so-called locavore Index, which is based on the number of farmers' markets, com- munity supported agriculture programs, direct sales, food hubs and local food grants per capita, plus farm-to-school participation and local food pledge hospitals The index was created by a Brattleboro, Vt.-based nonprofi t, Strolling of the Heifers Inc. Maine ranked fourth in the index's fi rst year in 2012 and No. 2 since then. Vermont was ranked No. 1. Although local food represents a small percentage of total food consumption, it's signifi cant that Mainers eat more local food as part of their diets than most people, Hallett said. "People in Maine are committed to local food and have access to local food," she said. The map was funded by the Quimby Family Foundation. Maine has 120 summer farmers markets and 30 to 35 winter markets. The markets have an average of 16 vendors. Rollover value for communities It's diffi cult to work out the value of the sector because the markets are independently operated at the local level and most sales are cash, making it diffi cult to collect data, Hallett noted. "But we do know that every dollar spent has at least a $1.70 value in the community," she said. "When you buy food from a farmer directly, he's using that money to buy grain products or pay farmhands. They're re-spending it within the community. Whereas if you go to a big-box store, that money typically leaves the state quickly." The Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets is fi nding the markets increasingly incubate new businesses — not just new farms, but other businesses like bakery or a cheese maker. "They can get their licensed kitchen, start small, build a customer base and scale up," she said. "In rural communi- ties, it's a great opportunity for people to start a business." The markets also contribute to the long-term sustain- ability of small farms, she said, citing a U.S. Department of Agriculture report from 2016. Nationally, the report said, the number of farms that sold food at roadside stands, farmers' markets, pick-your-own farms, on-farm stores and community supported agricultural arrangements increased 24% between 2002 and 2012. And farmers who market directly to consum- ers are more likely to remain in business than those who market only through traditional channels. Part of that greater sustainability, the report said, may be that farms using direct- to-consumer marketing may be less capital-intensive, requir- ing less machinery and land, and have lower debt levels than similarly sized farms with no direct sales. B R I E F M A P / C O U R T E S Y M A I N E F E D E R AT I O N O F FA R M E R S ' M A R K E T S Copies of the free map have been distributed to farmers' markets and tourist information sites. Request a copy at info@mffm.org @ The Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets' Farmers Market Trail map features 20 coastal markets, from Bath to Lubec.

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