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I JA N UA R Y 7 , 2 0 1 9 8 B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S N E W S F RO M A RO U N D T H E S TAT E arm. e expansion could create 25 or more jobs in the coming year, owner and President Pete Roberts said. e Farmington-based business bought two industrial mixed-use build- ings in nearby Wilton in November for the expanded nutrition focus on the business, and is adding denim and leather goods, including boots, at its Farmington manufacturing plant, Roberts told Mainebiz. e seven-acre Wilton site, at 946 U.S. Route 2, has two buildings totaling 16,000 square feet and was acquired by Origin Labs LLC for $425,000 in November, with Tom Dunham, NAI e Dunham Group, broker- ing the sale. e property was previ- ously owned by Hammond Lumber Co., which closed the store and lumber yard at the site in June, mov- ing employees to Farmington after it acquired coastal EBS Building Supply. e Origins move comes a little more than a year after the company moved from Industry, north of Farmington, to a 20,000-square-foot manufactur- ing plant in Farmington. At the time of the move, the company employed 15. Roberts said it now employs 40. N O T E W O R T H Y C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N Small Batch, Artisanal Crafted Cannabis, a company that grows medi- cal grade cannabis organically with no chemicals or pesticides, opened at 711 Lisbon St. in Lewiston. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced that the Maine State Chamber of Commerce was selected to participate in its Career Readiness Lab and receive $95,000 to implement a work-based learning program to better connect students with academic and experiential learn- ing opportunities in their community. The state chamber was one of five state and local chambers selected across the country. Qualidigm, a mission-driven, national health care consulting think tank based in Wethersfield, Conn., and Maine Quality Counts, a regional health im- provement company in Manchester, an- nounced the official merger of the two organizations took take place Jan. 1. Legal challenge to Bar Harbor ferry zoning shot down A Maine Superior Court judge has rejected a challenge to a Bar Harbor zon- ing amendment that allows redevelop- ment of the Eden Street ferry terminal. e Mount Desert Islander reported that New year brings new resolutions for business leaders B y R e n e e C o r d e s W ith the new year upon us, Mainebiz asked business and nonprofit leaders about their business resolu- tions for 2019, including hiring and growth plans. Here in no particular order is our roundup of new year's resolutions: Joshua Broder, CEO, Tilson: "We resolve to hire 250 great people, double the business, and have fun working with peers who love what they do — building America's information infrastructure!" Editor's note: He says the current workforce count is 490, including 160 in Maine. Ben Waxman and Whitney Reynolds, co-founders, American Roots: "American Roots is planning to add 10 new employ- ees to our workforce of 20 by year's end. We also plan to overhaul our machines to a more modern, automated fleet of industrial sewing machines to increase our production capacity by 40%. We are excited for 2019. Game on!" Jim Brady, president and director, Fathom Cos.: "In a return to my founding principles in the ways in which I aim to create change with business, in 2019 I am resolving to focus on three pillars: environmental sustainability, community and local focus, and the creation of opportunities for others. I believe that these values have shaped the work I have done, and they will guide my investments and decisions this coming year. " Susan V. Morris, principal, NewHeight Group: "In 2019 as we build Verdante at Lincoln Park condos in Portland's East End, we intend to commute on our electric bikes, meet new neighbors (hello, WEX!) at new local spots in nearby neighborhoods and encourage others to make a move to a pedestrian- and cycling-friendly lifestyle." Alain J. Nahimana, executive director, Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center: "In 2019, we are committed to sustaining the Center's vision through enhanced leader- ship and technical capabilities, all in an effort to achieve our mission. On a bigger picture, 2019 is a pivotal year in showing a new narrative for immigrants in Maine and beyond: a workforce unparalleled to any before, building on Maine's work ethic and the importance of family — the Power of We." Patricia Weigel, president and CEO, Norway Savings Bank: "In this fast-paced technology-driven economy, I hope to continue fostering the adoption of an innovation mindset across the bank. I also hope to continue building on our achievement and support corporate culture to ensure we remain an employer of choice in this tight labor market." Quincy Hentzel, president and CEO, Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce: "To continue to be more reflective and inclusive of the community around us and to help sup- port our new immigrants to find meaningful employment and economic opportunities. Also focus on building our workforce and supporting the needs of our business community to ensure it remains healthy and vibrant!" B I Z M O N E Y We resolve to hire 250 great people, double the business and have fun workign with peers who love what they do... — Joshua Broder Tilson a Dec. 18 decision by Justice Michaela Murphy for the Business and Consumer Court in Cumberland County rejected a lawsuit by Bar Harbor, Hancock and Sorrento shorefront property owners challenging the creation of a Shoreland Maritime Activities District. e suit said the change would adversely affect property values. According to town doc- uments, the district seeks to support mar- itime activities related to the reuse of the ferry terminal for both cruise ship and ferry activities. Plans are in the works to bring back Bay Ferries Ltd. ferry service from Bar Harbor to Canada. at plan was delayed in December when former Gov. Paul LePage declined to sign a deed conveyance on the former CAT ferry terminal site on Eden Street to the town of Bar Harbor. e delay postponed the closing date from Nov. 30. to Jan. 31. Wiscasset seeks input on broadband upgrade e town of Wiscasset and the Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce are seeking input from residents and businesses on the quality and cost of current internet services and how they could benefit from expanded broadband. In addi- tion to seeking feedback through two online questionnaires, a committee will meet one-on-one with key employers (who are welcome to call the chamber to request a meeting). Residents who are also business owners are encouraged to complete both surveys, which are due by Jan. 14. Wiscasset is one of seven Maine towns participating in a ConnectME Community Broadband Planning proj- ect, led by the Lincoln County Planning Commission and Machias-based Axiom Technologies, the project consultant. Axiom, led by CEO Mark Ouellette, is working with various communities that have received ConnectME grants from the state to plan and implement broad- band initiatives. Besides Wiscasset, the other towns are Somerville, Whitefield, Jefferson, Dresden, Edgecomb and Westport Island. Camden bistro reopens under new operators e former Francine Bistro, at 55 Chestnut St. in Camden, recently reopened as Franny's Bistro. e Bangor Daily News reported that Jack and Jennifer Neal signed a lease on the space over the summer and reopened earlier this month. ey told the newspaper that opening for the winter sends the signal that they're there not just for the summer trade but for local clientele. e former Francine Bistro, a popular eatery that closed in late 2017, was purchased in May by Mark Senders, owner of the M I D C O A S T & D O W N E A S T

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