Mainebiz

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 A P R I L 4 , 2 0 2 2 From the Editor I n the past several weeks, I've had the good fortune as part of my job to meet with business leaders in Presque Isle, Biddeford, Bangor, Skowhegan and Damariscotta. Across the state, people are certainly busier than they have been in two years — in most cases, busier than they were in pre-pandemic years. As part of our pledge to get out "on the road," my colleagues at Mainebiz and I have met with three bank presidents, two university presidents and a host of small business owners. e owner of a roofing company is booking jobs a year out. Bank presidents say that they're prequali- fying dozens of potential home-buyers who are getting out-bid by cash buyers. And nearly everyone is telling us that on top of the tight hiring market, people who are interested in working for them can't find affordable housing. ese are issues all over the state. So while many Maine businesses are going full tilt, they're also continually adjusting to supply chain issues, labor shortages, higher wages, higher gas prices and other inflationary woes — and the ever- present threat of another COVID shutdown. In short, Maine's economy right now is, um, complicated. For this issue, we delve into some though prob- ably not all of these issues. For our cover story, Renee Cordes talks to banks and credit unions about how they're competing for entry- level talent. Higher wages are only part of the dynamic. See "Teller talent wars," which starts on Page 14. Small loans are lifelines for startups and small businesses. Laurie Schreiber takes a look at programs around Maine that are offering microloans. See "Small loans with a big impact," on Page 18. Royce Cross is a longtime leader in the Maine busi- ness community — and, in a story by Jessica Hall, he says he has no plans to stop working. See "Insurance scion's time in the sun," on Page 22. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz CORRECTION: In the Business Leaders of the Year issue of March 21, the profile of Amber Lambke, "Literally breaking bread to create community," incorrectly identified the relationship with Michael Scholz. He is her busi- ness partner. Her husband is Michael Lambke. 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 period from March 14–28. 1. Mainebiz names 2022 Business Leaders of the Year 2. Kennebunkport hotelier invests $20M in Mount Desert Island resort 3. Roux Institute tackles neighborhood concerns about proposed campus in Portland 4. After M&A string, Stonewall Kitchen itself is sold in private-equity deal 5. After makeover, Brunswick lodging property is revived as a boutique hotel 6. Jay-based Jocko Fuel gets $30M investment from NY private equity firm 7. Portland chamber will move to new space this summer 8. Bangor businessman buys Orono golf course created by famed Scottish designer 9. Inc.'s list of the Northeast's fastest- growing firms includes two from Maine 10. Portland's foodie image gets a lift with five finalists for James Beard Awards P H O T O S / T I M G R E E N WAY 1 We know the ins and outs of keeping your data secure. bernsteinshur.com Be safe. BE SHUR. Lock it down with our Data Security team. Cybersecurity | Cloud Computing | Privacy and Data Regulations | Technology Transactions Summing up Maine's economy today: It's complicated While many Maine businesses are going full tilt, they're also continually adjusting to supply chain issues, labor shortages, higher wages, higher gas prices and other inflationary woes.

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