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V I E W P O I N T S W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 3 O C T O B E R 1 5 , 2 0 1 8 Featured @ Mainebiz.biz From the Editor M aine's coast is ever evolving, ever a source of wonder and debate, as our Midcoast and Downeast stories show. We don't always equate farming with fishing, but the two concepts are quickly coming together on the Midcoast. As Laurie Schreiber reports on Page 14, two separate operators plan to invest millions of dollars to create salmon farms in Belfast and Bucksport, in the latter case taking over the for- mer Verso paper mill site. Salmon farms require considerable investment, but in the long run it will take much of the guesswork out of fishing. e fish are raised in containment systems, so no costly boats or fishing gear is actually needed, making it somewhat more like farming. Farm- raising fish is a controversial topic, globally and locally, but both efforts seem to be moving for- ward. How the farms will fit into Maine's tradi- tional role in the fisheries remains to be seen. As Maureen Milliken reports on Page 22, inter- net access has been and remains one of the big- gest challenges facing businesses in the state's rural areas. As any business person can tell you, patchy service can sabotage even the simplest of retail transactions, such as running a credit card purchase. Obviously, there are far more complicated service needs than that, so it's not hard to see that spotty internet service is a deciding factor in a company turning its back on a potential site. One company that is making a difference in Maine's rural areas is Machias-based Axiom Technologies. Incoming CEO Mark Ouellette is following in the footsteps of Susan Corbett, who demonstrated a knack for building telecommunications systems out of bare- bones infrastructure and a patchwork quilt of federal grants. Axiom also has a knack for finding partners, not just the communities it serves but deeper pock- eted allies like Microsoft. "Anything that provides access is something we will consider and we will do," Ouellette tells Mainebiz. From Boothbay, Renee Cordes updates us on the ongoing effort by the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens to expand and upgrade its offerings, which attract 190,000 visitors a year. Its expansion hasn't been all smooth sailing; neigh- bors had chal- lenged aspects of the expan- sion plan. But, with differences settled and $50 million in upgrades planned, work is surging ahead. See Page 18. Quotable Anthony Shurman, CEO of Wyman's of Maine, joined the Milbridge-based company within the past year. Mainebiz was fortunate to have him take part in our recent CEO forum, which asked each CEO to come up with 10 ideas to make a business better. If you were at the panel, you know there were a lot of good ideas thrown out there, but one in particular stood out, I thought. "Get in the action. Raise your hand for the toughest projects. Reach out for advice. Take meet- ing requests. Make things happen." Well said. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz Get Maine's business news daily at mainebiz.biz and on Twitter (@Mainebiz). Below is our top content from between Aug. 27 and Sept. 10. For a daily digest of Maine's top business news, sign up for the Mainebiz Daily Report at mainebiz.biz/enews 1. Maine makes top 5 in states with highest tax burden 2. Vets First Choice gets approval for new HQ 3. Flowfold acquires Gorham building, plans November move 4. Next 2018: Christina Kane-Gibson brings new energy to expanding Caribou's economy 5. Coulombe completes upscale rental projects in Boothbay Harbor 6. CEI will use federal grant to help Biddeford manufacturer grow 7. Two challenges face new owner of Fork Food Lab: Grow membership, erase debt 8. Dollar General to open 6 new stores across Maine 9. Next 2018: Eleven dynamic individuals who are changing Maine's economy 10. Eimskip USA's Portland-based managing director steps down R E N D E R I N G / C O U R T E S Y V E T S F I R S T C H O I C E 2 Be smart. BE SHUR. bernsteinshur.com When you need a JD with an MBA's approach. Maine's coast is hot property, but businesses have to stay nimble Get in the action. Raise your hand for the toughest projects. Reach out for advice. Take meeting requests. Make things happen. — Anthony Shurman Wyman's of Maine

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