Mainebiz

V O L . X X V I N O . V M A R C H 9 , 2 0 2 0 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 R O M A R O U N D T H E S T A T E insurance company also said it and its philanthropic arm, the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, in- vested $600,000 in efforts to improve overall health by addressing critical issues facing Mainers, such as food insecurity and the impacts of the opi- oid abuse crisis. Coastal Enterprises Inc. in Brunswick selected Maine Cap N Stem; Ocean Approved Inc., dba Atlantic Sea Farms; Glidden Point Oyster Co.; Wilbur's of Maine Chocolate Confections; Commonwealth Poultry; Bigelow Brewing Co.; and Aurora Mills and Farm LLC to join its 2020 Cohort for Maine Tastemakers Initiative. The initiative provides fi- nancial resources, market analysis, specialized consulting and investor networking opportunities for emerging food and beverage companies. Pierce Atwood, a law firm in Portland, said its attorneys provided more than 1,700 hours of pro bono legal ser- vices, valued at $3.4 million, to 52 organizations in 2019. Bristol Seafood in Portland introduced a line of Grab & Go seafood items un- der its My Fish Dish brand, a retail line of high-quality, simple-to-cook seafood that can be prepared in three steps. Pine Tree Legal Assistance in Portland said it was awarded a one- year grant from United Way of York County totaling $10,000 to support homelessness prevention and eco- nomic security for families with low incomes in York County. Readiness Associates, a national consulting firm in Portland that helps clients prepare for natural and man- made disasters, joined a United Nations-affiliated committee tasked with reducing disaster risk on the Caribbean nation of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The republic has suffered damage and destruction from recent natural disasters and inclement weather patterns. Oakhurst in Portland announced a three-year, $300,000 donation to Full Plates Full Potential in Portland to create the Oakhurst After School meal grant program to help schools and qualified after school enrichment programs provide more after school meals for Maine students. Atlantic Federal Credit Union said its operations center will be located at 600 Sable Oaks Drive in South Portland. New contract for Huhtamaki workers United Steelworkers Local 449 members voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new five-year contract that raises wages, improves benefits and increases the number of union jobs at the Huhtamaki paper packaging mill in Waterville. e proposal was approved by nearly 70% of members. e contract includes wage increase of 2.5% to 3% over the next five years; 50-cent-an- hour wage increase on top of the 2.5% increase in the first year for 140 workers in the plant's smooth finish department; six weeks of paid vacation for workers with 35 years of service, which affects 75 employees at the mill; and improvements to disability, dental and life insurance coverage. e union said it also expects an additional 30 and 40 union jobs at the mill. N O T E W O R T H Y C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N Colby College in Waterville announced that it received a $3 million gift from the Lunder Foundation to develop an arts collaborative on Main Street. The new space, which is expected to open at the end of the year, will include a renovation and consolidation of the existing 14 and 20 Main St. buildings. The University of Maine at Farmington reported that it has designed an online degree comple- tion program to help adult learners attain a Bachelor of Science de- gree in Rehabilitation Services. The program will be available fall 2020, pending approval by the New England Commission of Higher Education, and can be completed in two years. Farm Credit East in Auburn an- nounced the retirement of Fred Morton after 40 years with the orga- nization and its predecessor organiza- tions. Morton served in a variety of roles since starting as a loan officer in 1979. Most recently he served as executive vice president and regional manager, overseeing five offices: two in Maine, as well as offices in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N A GREAT DAY TO DO BUSINESS! 144 EXHIBITORS, A $1,000 CASH PRIZE and 2,000+ ATTENDEES THURSDAY, MARCH 26 12-6 P.M. Colby College Field House, WATERVILLE MAKE THIS A PREMIER EVENT FOR NETWORKING OR A WONDERFUL WAY TO FIND A JOB!

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