Mainebiz

V O L . X X V I I I N O. I I JA N UA R Y 2 4 , 2 0 2 2 24 S O U T H E R N M A I N E F O C U S In a Mainebiz poll, companies cited staffing as their top investment for 2022 B y P e t e r V a n A l l e n I n the past two years, Maine has seen a fair number of businesses close or put up a "For Sale" sign. But we've also seen companies that, for various reasons, have found their stride in during the pandemic, possibly by offering a much-needed consumer product or service or pivot- ing to a new area of business. e businesses that have survived likely have some kind of growth in mind for 2022. We asked, "How do you plan to invest in your company in 2022?" Our polling system requires participants to make one choice only, so the company that plans to invest in staffing but also new real estate would have to pick its top priority. With that caveat in mind, we received 155 responses to this survey. More than half of responding readers (54%, 84 votes) said they were invest- ing in people through salaries, signing bonuses and increased staffing. Another 25% (38 votes) said they planned investments in equipment through upgrades in technology or machinery. A smaller amount, 12% (19 votes), said they planned to invest in real estate through new headquarters, expanded sites or improved locations. Finally, 9% (14 votes) said they'd put their dollars into marketing and advertising, such as changes in brand- ing and or market outreach. Portland airport plans $13.7M upgrade on primary runway B y J e s s i c a H a l l P lans are in the works to close the primary runway at Portland International Jetport this spring to carry out a $13.77 million improve- ment project. e rehabilitation of the east/west Runway 11/29 will take place for 56 days from April 18 through June 13. During that time, all air traffic in and out of the jetport will be operating on the airport's secondary north-south runway, according to a news release. e redirection will mean a significant change in air traf- fic over Portland, South Portland, Scarborough and Westbrook. For 28 days, from May 16 through June 13, the airport will be closed for fixed wing aircraft from 10:30 p.m. to 5:45 a.m. to facilitate rehabilitating the runway intersection. e project comes as air traffic is seeing recovery from pandemic- related slowdowns. e project is needed because asphalt surfaces have a limited lifespan and require periodic repair and rehabilitation. Factors like aircraft operations and weather over time contribute to the Pavement Condition Index hitting thresholds that require resurfacing. Runway 11/29, the jetport's primary runway, was resurfaced in 2004. Asphalt runways in northern climates typically require rehabilitation every 15 to 20 years. Our Brunswick Branch is moving to Cooks Corner! WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT OUR NEW LOCATION, AND WE THINK YOU WILL BE TOO. Our Brunswick Branch is moving from our current location at 16 Station Avenue to a new location at 27 Gurnet Road. Not only will we be more centrally located, but we will also have drive-up service and plenty of parking. We look forward to serving you at our new location in February 2022! In the meantime, we will still be open at 16 Station Avenue. 207-786-5701 mechanicssavings.com » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F T H E P O R T L A N D I N T E R N AT I O N A L J E T P O R T Rehabilitation of Portland International Jetport's primary runway is planned for this spring. The red X marks the intersection between the primary and secondary runways.

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