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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 M AY 1 6 , 2 0 2 2 From the Editor W hile we hesitate to say the pandemic is behind us, we have at least had the good fortune to return to in-person meetings and events in recent weeks. In recent meetings around the state, I've noticed one persistent trend: People are not sitting still. Nearly every business that survived the pandemic (to date) has had to make major changes in how busi- ness is conducted. Business leaders have had to adjust hours, workplace setups, customer interactions, hiring protocols and vendor relationships, while adapting to supply-chain issues and rising interest rates. While the pandemic offered a crash course in change management, many small business owners became star students overnight. For our cover story, senior staff writer Renee Cordes writes about a microloan program that supports immigrant-owned small businesses. She talks to businesspeople who have gone through the process in "Lending a hand," which starts on Page 14. It's been a turbulent time for small business owners, surviving the shutdowns, navigating the labor short- ages and overcoming supply chain issues. But through it all, Laurie Schreiber reports, Maine small businesses are showing optimism. See "Scrappy small businesses," which starts on Page 22. Our list for this issue is Maine's largest SBA 7(a) loans, on Page 38. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz One reader's solution for the housing crunch In regard to the Housing Crunch issue of May 2, Portland has an extreme shortage of affordable hous- ing. And it just keeps growing. Maybe it would be a good time to consider an extreme solution. Several years ago I proposed to Portland the oppor- tunity to convert a retired cruise ship into a shelter for homeless and low-income residents. After an inter- national press release, I heard from people around the world. ey included an angel donor offering to con- tribute $25 million for the project. Despite some brief support from then-Mayor Ethan Strimling, the city simply rejected the concept without any effort by the City Council to understand just what was possible. If you remove a ship's shell, you have a steel-framed structure — up to 15 stories high and two acres per deck. In looking at the availability of ships, you can find one with 800 to 1,200 cabins, at a price less than our 208 bed, $25 million homeless shelter. During COVID, more that 40 ships have been sunk or junked, simply to avoid bankruptcy or refurbishment costs. To comply with international law, a ship would have to be permanently dry-docked. e simple economics of acquiring and sustain- ing such a structure are very doable. What developer wouldn't love to build an apartment complex to hold 1,000 people for $25 million in upfront costs? Imagine a housing complex that includes three dining rooms, lounges, community pool, recreation, parking and water access. Wake up Portland! Dare to face today's reality with tomorrow's innovative thinking. Kenneth A. Capron, Retired CPA, MCSE Portland To the Editor 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 April 25 to May 9. 1. Maine high schools score high in US News ranking 2. A landmark, 450-acre Phippsburg resort sells to Massachusetts firm 3. NH restaurant group brings its taste for all-day brunch to Maine 4. Portland waterfront condo complex secures $46M for phase-two build-out 5. State launches online tool to help Mainers claim $850 relief checks 6. In 60 hours, crews switch out a bridge on one of Maine's busiest highways 7. The Maine Housing Crunch: Single-family market is a wild, wild ride 8. How would you like to use one of the $850 relief checks Mainers are receiving? 9. WEX names new CFO on eve of Q1 report 10. Brunswick fintech startup raises $2M to fund growth P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F G H S 1 bernsteinshur.com WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION Join Us for Our 7th Annual Women in Construction & Project Development. DATE: Wednesday, May 25, 2022 TIME: 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. NEW LOCATION: River Winds Farm and Estate, 121 Louden Rd, Saco Small businesses roaring back after a rough couple years Small business is no walk in the park, but entrepreneurs wouldn't have it any other way.

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