Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 J U LY 2 6 , 2 0 2 1 The Maine Turnpike Authority pro- posed an increase in tolls starting Nov. 1 to offset losses caused by the pandemic, when the 109-mile highway brought in $60 million less in revenue than had been projected. The authority announced $17.3 mil- lion in adjustments that include high- er cash rates at the York Toll Plaza, in a move the MTA said will help ensure future projects can be completed as scheduled. Under the plan, the cash rate at York would increase from $3 to $4 per passenger car, plus cor- responding rates for remaining toll classes. Any changes would face public input and a vote by the MTA's 7-member board. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Airport Improvement Program awarded five Maine airports a total of $11.5 million. Portland International Jetport received $6.9 million; Augusta State Airport, $2.1million; Auburn-Lewiston Airport, $1.6 million; Belfast Municipal Airport, $600,000; and Wiscasset Airport, $195,000. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded $245,600 to Maine Department of Environmental Protection to carry out beach water quality monitoring and public notifica- tion programs. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Local Drug Crisis Program awarded the Choose To Be Healthy Coalition in York, Sebasticook Valley Health in Pittsfield and Healthy Lincoln County Substance Use Prevention Partnership in Damariscotta $50,000 each to reduce opioid, methamphet- amine and prescription drug use among youth. The U.S. Department of Labor an- nounced that the state of Maine re- ceived $139,317 to provide training and employment services to eligible workers affected adversely by foreign trade. Drummond Woodsum has merged with another Portland firm, Germani Hill & Hayes, "a major expansion" to N O T E W O R T H Y S T A T E W I D E S T A T E W I D E N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N S O U T H E R N C R E D I T S & D E B I T S NH buyer hopes to bring new life to Millinocket mall — Good news for a tired shopping center Here's how Maine ranks as a place to start a business — Spoiler alert, it's No. 13. Not bad! Ashore in Washington County, the Coast Guard tackles scarce housing — An innovative solution in Jonesport Portland Conservatory of Music finds permanent home in a larger space — All praise to anonymous donors Half of Bar Harbor survey respondents enjoyed 2020 tourism season without cruise ships — But they like the money the ships bring in Maine Turnpike Authority plans higher tolls to offset pandemic losses — How will businesses adapt to another cost increase? Two Lewiston men sentenced to pay $2.4M for defrauding MaineCare — C'mon man P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F S V N T H E M A S I E L L O G RO U P Northern Plaza, a shopping mall in Millinocket, sold for $1.6 million to a New Hampshire investor who views Millinocket as a community on the rise.

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