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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 S E P T E M B E R 3 0 , 2 0 1 9 From the Editor T he Mainebiz Next list honors leaders who are changing Maine's economy. We often talk in Maine about the need for new people and new energy. In a state whose population is not growing and whose median age is the oldest in the country, this is not an idle discussion. e 11 leaders on this year's Next list are making their mark across the state. A defining characteristic is their energy level. I think we all know of businesses where the hours keep get- ting shorter, the place could use a new coat of paint or the owner seems a bit checked out — wanting, quite understandably, to retire or sell his or her business. By contrast, these leaders are on the rise in their careers. It takes energy to buy an old paper mill and con- vert it to a new use (see Joshua Henry of GO Lab Inc., Page 20), or revitalize an aging downtown (see Kristina Cannon of Main Street Skowhegan, Page 28) or completely shift the focus of your business after a recession (see Chad and Nicole Humphrey of Humphrey's BBQ, Page 16). Another characteristic is persistence. It takes persistence to get your product onto the shelves of a major retailer (see Charles Friedman, Devin McNeill and James Morin of Flowfold, Page 30) or find new markets for international trade destinations (see Dana Eidsness, Page 22). A third characteristic if vision. It takes vision to develop a new software or see the possibilities for a downtown collaborative space (see Nick Rimsa and RJ Anzelc, Page 24) or to launch an incubator for entrepreneurs' ideas (see Lisa Liberatore, Page 26). Perhaps another characteristic is hard work, but it may go without saying that leaders with the pre- vious three characteristics are no strangers to long hours, ideas scratched out on a napkin or a 3 a.m. text to a colleague. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz 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 Sept. 9 – 23 1. $300M for new Maine Maritime training ship clears key Senate hurdle 2. Developers take first step in Augusta mall revitalization 3. Portland peninsula hotel boom still has room to grow, panel says 4. WEX CEO Melissa Smith named as company chair 5. Portland developer wants to build 20 townhouses, but neighbors say no 6. Downtown Damariscotta restaurant finds enthusiastic buyers 7. Jeff Brickman, CEO of Central Maine Healthcare, says its prognosis is improving 8. Strong showing for Maine colleges in latest U.S. News & World Report rankings 9. 250-unit Augusta 'medical workforce' development gets initial approval 10. Cannabis retail tenant at long-vacant Portland site part of growing trend R E N D E R I N G / C O U R T E S Y O F H E R B E R T E N G I N E E R I N G C O R P. 1 bernsteinshur.com Be smart. BE SHUR. When you need a lawyer who thinks like an executive and speaks like a human. What it takes: Energy, persistence and vision

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