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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 J U LY 2 5 , 2 0 2 2 From the Editor I n the past two years, Maine has seen the real estate and construction industries hit great heights. Home prices hit all new territory, with the median home price soaring well into the mid-$300s. We've all seen the influx of people seeking a safe refuge from cities during the pandemic. But investors have also jumped in, looking to flip houses or adapt them for short-term rentals. It seems entirely possible that for many years homes were undervalued in Maine and just now catching up with the rest of the country. It's certainly true that, as the median home price soared, the housing shortage was amped up. On the commercial side, construction continued unabated during the pandemic. ere's still demand for industrial space, office space and multifamily housing. More recently, the housing market seems to have cooled off a bit, but it remains to be seen how inter- est rates will affect both residential sales and com- mercial development. Labor shortages have been a key factor even as the real estate market has surged. For our cover story, Senior Writer Renee Cordes looked at a growing segment of the construction labor force: women. While still a small percentage, women are taking on key roles. For more, see "Grit and gravel," which starts on Page 16. Amid the real estate boom, engineering firms have expanded greatly. We've seen firms grow their footprint with out–of-state acquisitions. We've seen them take on new, larger quarters. We're seeing them make key hires to fill out the leadership ranks. Senior Writer Laurie Schreiber has more of the specifics in "Engineering firms rev up," on Page 24. Don't miss the "Building business" column on Page 28 and the list, which is Maine's largest engi- neering firms, on Page 34. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz 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 July 4–18. 1. Amid plans for Belfast salmon facility, Nordic Aquafarms changes leadership 2. NYC architect buys castle-like Camden inn 3. Moving company threatens customers who post bad reviews, Maine AG says in lawsuit 4. Bank of America makes leadership transition in Maine 5. Bar Harbor college acquires northern Maine wilderness center 6. Maine business owner pleads guilty to pandemic-loan fraud, faces 30 years in prison 7. National Governors Association puts spotlight on Portland, lobster, literacy and more 8. Augusta 'on the cusp': Residential development gathers momentum in Maine's capital 9. $25M condo development proposed for Portland, off the peninsula 10. In whale protection effort, federal court reinstates lobstering ban off Maine coast R E N D E R I N G / C O U R T E S Y O F N O R D I C A Q UA FA R M S 1 For your next construction project, have the right legal tools. bernsteinshur.com Be prepared. BE SHUR. With our Construction Group, you get more than an experienced attorney. You get a partner. People you can collaborate with, talk to, and trust. This is the true foundation for any relationship. That is what we do. Maine continues to see the effect of the construction boom Maine's real estate and construction boom has had a wild ride in the past two years. But what's ahead?

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