Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 M A R C H 4 , 2 0 1 9 U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine, co-spon- sored legislation that would support employers assisting employees in paying off their student loan debt. The Employer Participation in Repayment Act would allow employers to contrib- ute up to $5,250 tax-free to their em- ployees' student loans — which the bill's sponsors say offers much-need relief to employees while also giving employers a unique tool to attract and retain talented employees. Jetport records busiest year More than 2.13 million passengers used the Portland International Jetport in 2018, making it the all-time busiest year in the jetport's history. Overall traffic at the jetport was up 14.6% year-over-year, surpassing the then- record 1.86 million passengers in 2017. "is is the first time we've crossed the 2 million passenger threshold in a single year, and 14% growth on our all-time record speaks to the strength …with a CPA and consulting firm committed to rooting out your biggest opportunities. You may qualify for R&D tax credits without realizing! And what about navigating ever-changing state and local tax laws? Is your business saving in all the areas you could be? Push the boundaries of what's possible for your manufacturing business with the tax specialists at Wipfli/Macpage. wipfli.com/maine South Portland | Augusta Proud Partner of the Maine Red Claws GO BEYOND THE ORDINARY... S O U T H E R N Fishman Realty Group had a proven track record in real estate development and management in Portland. In 1995, it proposed Atlantic Portland a grand redevelopment of Thompson's Point, what even at the time was thought to be a gateway to Portland. The plan, which was to have cost $125 million, would have included the Gulf of Maine Aquarium, a convention and commerce center and a "multimodal" trans- portation center. Mainebiz reported at the time that it was the brainchild of Joseph F. Kumiszcza Jr., marketing director Fishman Realty, and was endorsed by Alan Fishman, presi- dent of the company. "We see this as a way to bring these various uses together in a harmonious way," Fishman, who died in 2011, said in the January/February 1996 issue of Mainebiz. Critics argued that developing Thompson's Point would steal visitors and shoppers from downtown Portland. There were even some that maintained that if visitors went to the aquarium they wouldn't go downtown to the Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine. Today, downtown is thriving and Thompson's Point is very much living up to part of the vision put forth 25 years ago. The transportation center is there. Instead of an aquarium and conference center, Thompson's Point has a host of other attractions — Bissell Bros. Brewery, Cellardoor Winery and other food and beverage options. There is office space, a skating rink and event space. State Theatre has concerts there. And the Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine plans to move into new quar- ters there. SP ONSORED BY FUN FACT You may have to be of a certain age to find humor in this headline in the January/February 1995 issue of Mainebiz: "Intel's Pentium — Death of the 486?" A 1995 plan for Thompson's Point nailed some things, not others of the market we serve. Portland is a very popular destination and is further assisted by the overall strength of the Maine market," Paul Bradbury, direc- tor of the airport, said. USM-UNE collaborate on pharmacy program e University of New England and the University of Southern Maine announced an agreement that will make it easier for students from USM's Department of Biological Science to apply to UNE's College of Pharmacy. e 4 + 4 Program creates an opportu- nity for students who have successfully

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