Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 13 O C T O B E R 4 , 2 0 2 1 of Maine Cooperative Extension. Wild blueberries, most of which are sold frozen, can be stored for two to three years. Last year's small crop meant most frozen berries in storage sold out, so there's high demand for this season's crop. e harvest should fetch about 70 cents a pound, Yarborough said. at price, if realized, would be the highest value per pound in about seven years, according to the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Belfast has room to grow, but faces challenges A recent market study suggests that downtown Belfast is ripe for real estate development, but faces tough challenges in harvesting that potential. e Brownfields Revitalization Study, contracted by the city to a New York research firm, looks at opportunities and obstacles for revitalization in Belfast's 77-acre downtown and waterfront area. e analysis examines potential development in housing, retail, lodging and light industrial or flex space. One of the key findings: Nearly all — 97% — of the existing downtown and waterfront properties can accom- modate additional space under current zoning regulations. If built out to capacity, the properties would increase space in Belfast by 2.4 million square feet, according to Camoin Associates of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Despite the capac- ity, development in Belfast is "extremely challenging" due to a variety of factors, the report said, citing high property tax rates, market rates that don't support the cost of construction and specula- tive land pricing. N O T E W O R T H Y M I D C O A S T & D O W N E A S T WCARC, an association in Calais that helps people with disabilities, received $3.2 million to renovate the St. Croix Apartments to provide housing for low-income seniors. The funding was awarded through the fiscal year 2021 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program. King asks Biden to open up borders to vaccinated drivers As U.S. restrictions are eased for vaccinated international air travel- ers from 33 countries including most of Europe, U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, made a fresh case for allow- ing vaccinated Canadians into the country. He sent his plea in a Sept. 24 letter to President Joe Biden, follow- ing the president's decision to ease restrictions for vaccinated interna- tional visitors arriving by air, starting in November. King said that while Canadians may fly to the U.S. under current regulations, that is not usually practical for most visits to Maine. He notes that, under current rules, some- one wanting to go from neighbor- ing Fredericton, New Brunswick, to Presque Isle would have to first take a three-hour flight to Boston and then drive six hours north to Presque Isle, while a straight drive would be less than two hours.at places an unnec- essary burden on visitors and deters fully vaccinated Canadians from mak- ing the trip, King said. N O T E W O R T H Y N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N Holy Family Parish in Greenville said it reached its $2.3 million fundraising goal to construct a new church, parish hall and offices as well as renovate the current rectory. C&L Aviation Group announced that it completed the construction of a 27,000-square-foot parts warehouse in Bangor, adjacent to the company's component shop. Wabanaki Health and Wellness in Bangor received a total of $1.3 mil- lion from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support to help the organization iden- tify, respond to and mitigate public health threats, improving the health, safety and well-being of tribal commu- nities across Maine. While some doors close, ours remain open. During our nearly 170 years in Maine, we've seen our fair share of banks come and go, merge, or close their doors. When that happens, it can leave many good people and local businesses with important financial questions, like... "Should I switch my bank?" If you have question, Bath Savings is here to help. Our doors are open. MEMBER FDIC EQUAL HOUSING LENDER 1-800-447-4559 | bathsavings.com N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N

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