Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 D E C E M B E R 9 , 2 0 1 9 Jetport eyes capital upgrades Taking advantage of lower borrow- ing costs to shrink its debt burden, Portland International Jetport will reap close to $15 million in savings from a bond sale in November that was 5.7 times oversubscribed. e city of Portland raised a total of $58.4 million from the sale of General Airport Refunding Revenue Bonds at an interest cost of 2.99%. at amount will be used to refund around $67.7 million in old debt issued at an interest cost of 5.27%, resulting in net present value savings of $14.8 million. Lower debt service frees up cash for airport improve- ment and expansion projects, according to airport director Paul Bradbury. Two big projects top the Jetport's to-do list: setting up federal inspection services for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to allow for international charter flights, and the building of pas- senger boarding bridges for gates 11, 12 and 14. e estimated cost for federal inspection services is around $9.7 million, while the esti- mated cost for building the three new passenger boarding bridges is under $2 million, he said. Winter fest planned for Portland Organizers of Carnaval Maine expect the outdoor winter festi- val in Portland, planned for Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, 2020, to attract over 10,000 people to the city's Eastern Promenade. Among the high- lights: a snowboarding competi- tion sponsored by Newry ski resort Sunday River, a professional ice sculpture contest, outdoor illumina- tions and art, space for families to snowshoe and sled, and the Maine Bicentennial Snow Ball, a gala with dancing, Maine craft beers and food from local restaurants, all inside an inflatable, insulated, 400-person- capacity "igloo." Shamrock Sports & Entertainment is coordinating the event. Backers include Norway Savings Bank and the Maine Office of Tourism, five other sponsors and a dozen local breweries and res- taurants such as Luke's Lobster and Allagash Brewing Co. e The lists that fell to the wayside Mainebiz is known for its Book of Lists, but over 25 years some lists have had staying power and some have fallen to the wayside. Here are some that for whatever reason have fallen to the wayside: Maine's most challenging 18-hole golf courses, Maine's largest USDA farm subsidies, Maine's largest automobile dealerships, Maine's most popular radio stations by market, largest ports in New England, Maine's largest software companies. It's been an evolving process. SP ONSORED BY FUN FACT As long as we're on the topic of lists, the 2009 list of largest Maine-based brewers was led by Shipyard Brewing, D.L. Geary Brewing, Allagash Brewing, Gritty McDuff's Brewing and Atlantic Brewing Co. The most recent list of brewers, which ran in March, had some of the same names — and a few newcomers: Shipyard, Allagash, Baxter Brewing, Maine Beer Co. and Sebago Brewing. South Portland | Augusta Enjoy the personal service of a regional firm with the depth of experience of a national firm. With Wipfli, you gain the valuable insights and support you need to achieve your goals. Go Beyond the Ordinary at wipfli.com/maine LOCAL ROOTS. GLOBAL REACH. • Tax, audit and accounting • Cybersecurity and risk advisory • Business advisory solutions • Technology software solutions S O U T H E R N

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