Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 M AY 3 0 , 2 0 2 2 supported by the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan to expand the availabil- ity of affordable rental housing across rural Maine. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins announced that Maine will receive more than $31 million to rehabilitate and replace bridg- es across the state. The funding was provided through the Federal Highway Administration, authorized by the Fiscal Year 2022 Transportation and Housing Appropriations law. The University of Maine System re- ceived $1 million to improve Maine's digital connection to scientific research and data. The system's "You Can Get There from Here" program, funded by the National Science Foundation, will create a high-speed network between the University of Maine and other re- search institutions across New England for sharing scientific collaboration. USM names president to replace Cummings e University of Maine System hired Jacqueline Edmondson of Pennsylvania State University to succeed Glenn Cummings as president of the Portland- based institution starting July 1. Edmondson was a tenured professor in Penn State's College of Education and most recently led the school's Greater Allegheny campus, where she added eight degree programs to meet local workforce needs. e appointment received the unanimous green light from the UMaine System board of trustees after a national search. Edmondson has signed a three-year contract with USM and will earn $290,000 annually. N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N United Way of Southern Maine's Brick & Beam Society announced impact investments totaling $19,290 to support early childhood learn- ing and or STEM/STEAM summer programs benefiting underserved populations from birth through grade 8 in Cumberland County. Educate Maine's Project>Login Girls Who Code Summer Camp received $13,890 and the Rufus Porter Museum of Art & Ingenuity's Camp Invention was awarded $5,400. Sawyer Engineering & Surveying, a division of Sebago Technics in South Portland, moved its its Bridgton office to 293 Portland Road, Unit 3. The Rotary Club of Brunswick, in con- junction with the Topsham Espresso Rotary and Brunswick Coastal Rotary clubs, raised $11,425 to provide relief to refugees or other victims of the war in Ukraine. Cities feud over development proposal e city of Lewiston filed a lawsuit against the Auburn Water District in a move to protect the water quality of Lake Auburn, which is the public water supply for portions of Lewiston, Auburn and Poland. e lawsuit, filed in Androscoggin County Superior Court, follows a move in March in Auburn to rezone 148 acres near the lake, as well as ongoing discussions about updating septic design standards in the water- shed. Lewiston contends that both S O U T H E R N C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N Stock ownership roll-out begins for employees of Maine eatery with 14 locations — Could this be a retention tool for other employers? GWI gets $9M in grant funding for high-speed internet in three towns — Good news for Northport, Sumner and Hebron Heart of Biddeford wins national award for city revitalization efforts — Biddeford is having its moment in the sun Maine's labor market has nearly recovered, but workers are needed — Unemployment is at 3.3%, and Maine businesses are struggling to find workers Construction prices predicted to rise another 7% to 9% this year, report says — More fuel for the skyrocketing cost of housing UMA president withdraws from role, to receive salary — A golden parachute for a job never started C R E D I T S & D E B I T S A S K AC E A n s w e r e d b y J i m M i l l i k e n , a m e m b e r o f A C E The Association for Consulting Expertise (ACE) is a non-profit association of independent consultants who value "Success through Collaboration." The public is welcome to attend its regular meetings to share best practices and engage with industry experts. For more information go to www.consultexpertise.com. Q: My employees have been encouraging my company to demonstrate greater leadership in our community. How are other companies balancing profits and corporate responsibility? ACE Advises: The concept of corporate responsibility is complex and evolving. Businesses formerly focused on maximum profit; left to their own devices, they were likely to run roughshod over anything getting in the way. Or so they were seen. Commercial organizations are now seen, at least by most of us, as sharing both the burdens and the benefits of life in this country. Modern businesses build brands based on their dedication to causes transcending short-term financial gain. Many have full-time employees working in public relations. Synergies may be obvious — a publisher may invest time, money and effort in a literacy campaign — but sometimes they simply reflect the values of owners and the people who work for them. My advice: Recognize the strength your company can offer through its numbers. A coordinated effort leveraging the capabilities of the entire organization will reap enor- mous rewards for your community. When you invest your company's resources, your community's return on invest- ment will be greater if your efforts are focused on a few compelling causes important to your business and your people. Involve them in selecting the causes, identi- fying what needs to be done, and contributing in a manner appropriate their situations. As to that other return on investment, think of the mes- sage you give to the marketplace when you demonstrate that your company can organize company-wide to help the environment, improve education and reduce poverty. Imagine what it'll conclude about your ability to deliver goods and services. You can do well by doing good. Jim Milliken of Portland is a former newspaper editor and writer who, in 1987, became a trainer and consultant specializing in management and individual skills. He can be contacted at millikenproject@gmail.com P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F S A M ' S I TA L I A N Sam's Italian Foods, a chain of over a 14 restaurants dating back to 1939, was sold late last year.

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