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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 M A R C H 4 , 2 0 1 9 From the Editor M anufacturing's job count in Maine has not reached the level where it was even before the recession, and is a far cry from historic levels. Yet the workforce is growing, helped by some scrappy entrepreneurs. Senior Writer Renee Cordes writes about three textile companies that are identifying a niche for themselves: Flowfold, American Roots and Hyperlite Mountain Gear. It's hard not to see the comparisons to Sea Bags, which was founded in 1999 and now has 18 retail loca- tions. It started small. It created its own workforce. And it manufactures products here. e companies Renee profiles combine manufacturing savvy with creativity to get Maine products out to a wider audience. A few weeks ago, Bill Whittier of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership stopped by the Mainebiz offices to tell us we had to see the new high-tech laser cutter just installed at American Steel in South Portland. Bill's an energetic guy who crisscrosses Maine to advise manufacturers. When he says something is worth our time, I take him on his word. So I tagged along with American Steel President Sam Blatchford and our correspondent, Will Hall, to get a look at this machine. Now, I've been in the massive U.S. Steel mill in Gary, Ind., with sparks flying and hot, molten steel being spit out in huge slabs. is is nothing like that. American Steel is process- ing steel and aluminum and getting into useable forms for clients like Hussey Seating and Bath Iron Works. Its new laser cutter is clean, efficient and, as operations like this go, rela- tively quiet. A lone operater runs the system from a computer screen. Fewer people, greater productivity. at's the direction manufacturing is going. Finally, Senior Writer Laurie Schreiber talks to companies that see a commercial future for nanosat- ellites. ese could be the drones of the next decade, and Maine's getting a foothold right now. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz Paul Dioli in his letter to the editor [in the print edi- tion of Feb. 18] suggests that aquaculture must fit in with other coastal activities such as commercial fishing and tourism. He is right, Maine law mandates that aquaculture not conflict with those activities. What Mr. Dioli of Maquoit Bay LLC fails to mention is that aquaculture has a long history fitting in with other activities along Maine's coast. As part of the working waterfront and Maine's tourism industry, Maine aquaculture has contributed significantly to the diversification of Maine's coastal economy. In fact, aquaculture has often increased not decreased revenues in those other sectors. Scenic tour compa- nies and kayak rental outfits routinely use aquaculture farms as unique attractions to talk about Maine's iconic working waterfront and how it is evolving in the face of a changing environment. Many fishermen are starting farms to hedge against the ups and downs of wild fisheries. Once a farm is in place fishermen often find that the fishing improves around the farm because the farm provides structure, habitat and prey where there wasn't any before. Sincerely yours, Sebastian M. Belle executive director Maine Aquaculture Association Hallowell To the Editor Featured @ Mainebiz.biz For a daily digest of Maine's top business news, sign up for the Mainebiz Daily Report at mainebiz.biz/enews Get Maine's business news daily at mainebiz.biz and on Twitter (@Mainebiz). Below is our top content from the weeks between Feb. 11–25. 1. Inside the Maine's 'hottest towns' real estate sales list 2. Italian restaurant owner in Falmouth finds 'luck of the Irish' in purchase of the Kerrymen Pub 3. Gorham village is redeveloping, but 'there's room for more' 4. Former South Portland Wendy's to house medical clinic 5. Two-thirds of Scarborough Downs homes already sold 6. CMP's sweetens the deal, picks up support from Mills and others for $950M project 7. Bangor Savings doubles down on its waterfront expansion 8. Pepperell Mill's new apartments accompanied by rebranding 9. David Shaw creates new prize for this year's Top Gun entrepreneur competition 10. Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative executive director to step down P H O T O / M A U R E E N M I L L I K E N 1 Be smart. BE SHUR. bernsteinshur.com When you want a law firm t hat puts your interests before [h]ours. Manufacturing homegrown brands

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