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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 J U N E 2 8 , 2 0 2 1 From the Editor N ationwide, as noted in the focus intro on Page 15, family businesses turn out about two-thirds of the U.S. gross domestic product, 64%, and employ 60% of the U.S. workforce. It's often said that small businesses make up most of Maine's companies. e overlap with family-owned businesses is often overlooked. In this focus on family-owned businesses, we explore some different issues and challenges faced by families and, increasingly, their non-family CEOs. To that point, non-relatives now run some of Maine's most prominent firms. Companies like L.L.Bean, Hussey Seating Co., Jasper Wyman and Geiger depend on CEOs brought in to run the family business. As Renee Cordes reports, communication and a firm set of boundaries are often key to the success of those relationships. See our cover story, "Stewards of family business," which starts on Page 16. Shopping malls often look to national retailers to take long-term leases and pay top dollar for store space. But, as Maureen Milliken reports, Topsham Fair Mall has its own strategy that depends on a mix of family-owned businesses and Maine-based retailers. See "Topsham Fair Mall: A functional family," which starts on Page 20. Younger leaders in multi-generational businesses often find themselves walking a fine line between strategizing for the future and protecting the legacy of the past. As Laurie Schreiber reports, the basics of training, communication and even working with a mediator apply to family businesses as well as they do the general business community. For more, see "Heirloom or asset?" on Page 26. For a list of Maine's largest family-owned busi- nesses, see Page 34. 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 June 7–21. 1. In a frenzied home-sales market, Maine records its highest sale price in three years 2. RI couple bails on powerhouse careers for the innkeeping life in Maine's North Woods 3. Are you voluntarily continuing to wear a face mask inside stores, restaurants or other Maine businesses? 4. Maine again misses making Fortune 500, but gets close 5. New home, building permits skyrocket in Maine's unorganized territory 6. Big redevelopment project proposed at Kennebunkport's historic Colony Hotel 7. New study ranks Maine's economy eighth-worst in the US 8. Bull Moose takes back fired NH employees, promises company-wide raises by June 9. Data center's plan for Millinocket marks milestone for mill site's redevelopment 10. $25M gift to Maine Medical Center, its largest donation ever, will fund ongoing expansion P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y R E / M A X B Y T H E B AY 1 bernsteinshur.com Be valued. BE SHUR. We're lawyers in the business of your success. Family-owned businesses are at the heart of Maine economy Family businesses turn out 64% of the U.S. gross domestic product and employ 60% of the U.S. workforce.

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