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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 N OV E M B E R 2 , 2 0 2 0 From the Editor S orry for the bad pun, but without the Maine Turnpike and the transportation network — trains, trucks, ships and planes — there's no trade going in or out. We saw traffic plummet on the Maine Turnpike and the airports in April and saw the consequences of the disruption in the supply chain (read: lack of toilet paper on supermarket shelves). e pandemic has had many effects on the econ- omy. In Aroostook County, efforts to build a public transportation network took a hit with COVID. In our cover story, Laurie Schreiber looks at how companies and local agencies in e County have adapted to a shortage of public transit options. Employee are using carpools and occasional taxi rides to get to work. See "Transportation tribulation," which starts on Page 14. Like many businesses dur- ing the pandemic, the Maine Department of Transportation has had to find new ways to stretch a dollar. See Renee Cordes' interview with Commissioner Bruce Van Note, "Maine DOT's 'MacGyver' moment," on Page 18. South Portland has seen a wave of development, both commercial and residential, but that's also meant more traffic. Maureen Milliken talks to a city plan- ner there about how the city is tackling the issue. See "Broadway opening" on Page 20. 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 most popular content for the two weeks from Oct. 12–25. 1. In national beer comp, three New England brewers won gold. Two are in Maine. 2. Combined car club-events center takes shape at the Downs 3. After 34 years, U-Haul closes branch in Cooks Corner, Brunswick 4. Portland software startup gets $75K boost from new accelerator 5. The envelope, please: Rankings released for Maine's Best Places to Work 6. Despite an uncertain start to the fishery's season, lobster rolls on 7. UNE to build $70M medical school in Portland 8. TV network will give away remodeled Portland home, but it's not for everyone 9. At center of hard-hit industry, HospitalityMaine CEO will step down in December 10. Waterville's Maine Crisp inks deal with Whole Foods, readies for expansion F I L E P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY 1 bernsteinshur.com Be covered. BE SHUR. Excellence in practice, when you need it most. Transportation helps 'drive' Maine's economy Aquaculture industry needs companies of all sizes e clean, cold waters of Maine produce arguably some of the best seafood in the world, both wild caught and farmed. e Maine Department of Marine Resources reported that the 2018 total harvest value of Maine- grown seafood to be roughly $72 million. Aquaculture has provided Maine with a sustainable and lucra- tive means to producing seafood. As farmed seafood evolves in our state, we can benefit from operations of all sizes. From a lifestyle choice of small-scale marine gardening, to medium sized sustainable and resilient businesses, to larger scale finfish operations, Maine can remain a leader in aquaculture production. Maine farmers have raised Atlantic salmon, eastern oysters, blue mussels, different species of seaweed, scallops, soft shell clams, razor clams, surf clams, rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, and halibut and green sea urchins experimentally. ese different species require diverse business models to maintain profit margins and be successful. at's why we are seeing more plans for companies to enter our state and invest in aquaculture. In 2018, there were 190 aquatic farms in Maine operated by lease holders and 200 pre-revenue operations. e total acreage of coastal waters designated for aquaculture in Maine grew from 1,319 in 2018 to 1,558 in 2019, which is smaller than the size of Rockland Harbor. My family and I raise blue mussels on 164 acres on five sites. We have grown from a family of four to 15 employees in just over 10 years. We have, in that time, built a processing and packing facility that incorporates state-of-the-art equipment to sell our product with pride. e market, even during the pandemic, loves the quality and consistency that we can bring from Maine. And momentum from Washington is helping support the expansion of aquaculture through the introduction of federal legislation this year that could help boost the Maine industry. I am proud to work in Maine aquaculture, where there is a general understanding that big and small operators need to be part of the picture for the state to remain competitive. Fiona de Koning, Hollander & de Koning, Trenton To the Editor

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