Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 11 J U N E 2 8 , 2 0 2 1 Coastal Enterprises Inc., a commu- nity development financial institu- tion in Brunswick, was awarded $1.8 million by the U.S. Treasury to respond to economic challenges created by the COVID-19 pan- demic, particularly in underserved communities. Milestone Recovery, a Portland- based nonprofit serving Mainers experiencing substance use and homelessness, announced that it re-opened its Medical Detoxification program. The program, Southern Maine's only independent, nonprofit medical detox program, was forced to temporarily close due to staffing shortages in March. Thomas College breaks ground on athletic center omas College broke ground on an 18,000-square-foot athletic facility. Construction is expected to take a year, putting the center on track to open in August 2022. It will be funded in part by a recent campaign that raised a record $30 million, which will also be used for scholarships, academic and student support programs and partnerships, and annual investments in the student experience. e campaign gained momentum from a $13.5 million Harold Alfond Foundation gift. e building, designed by Portland-based SMRT Architects and Engineers, will be built by Sheridan Construction Corp., a commercial contractor based in Fairfield, with support from E.L. Vining & Son Inc. of Farmington. omas College previously said the facility will serve as a hub and home for its athletics program and include strength and conditioning and athletic training space, locker rooms, coaches' offices, as well as an e-sports arena and viewing area. e new structure will also mean that the school's existing Harold Alfond Athletic Center can be better used by the entire campus community. N O T E W O R T H Y C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N The University of Maine at Augusta's Education Program is offering two new Bachelor of Science degree opportuni- ties for individuals seeking a career as teachers: a B.S. in elementary education with concentrations in early elementary (K-3) and elementary (K-8) and a B.S. in secondary education with concentrations in mathematics, English, social studies, life sciences and physical science. Norway Savings Bank said it re- ceived a $50,000 pandemic relief grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston to distribute through their Jobs for New England Initiative. The bank then enlisted the assis- tance of the Immigrant Welcome Center and New Ventures Maine to identify 10 small businesses in Maine who were impacted nega- tively by the COVID-19 pandemic and are owned by women, minori- ties or veterans and awarded each a $5,000 grant. Fishermen among the skeptics on farmed salmon plan Two dozen Bar Harbor fishermen have signed a statement opposing a proposed salmon pen operation in Frenchman Bay. e statement cited numerous concerns about the proposal by American Aquafarms, a business based in Norway that has submitted applications to the Department of Marine Resources to lease 120 acres in order to install 30 "closed net" pens for raising salmon. e company has said its goal is to scale up to grow 66 mil- lion pounds of salmon per year. Hatchery and processing facilities would be located in Gouldsboro. Support vessels would travel between the pens and facilities. Fishermen say they're concerned about the potential loss of fishing ground for lobster, scallops and shrimp, loss of gear from service vessels and related support activity, navigational conflicts, water pollu- tion related to discharge, feed and fuel spills, among other issues. At a meeting in mid-June, the Bar Harbor Town Council voted to request intervener status on the company's application, meaning the town might have a greater say in the process. M I D C O A S T & D O W N E A S T C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N

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