Mainebiz

V O L . X X V I I I N O. X V J U LY 2 5 , 2 0 2 2 8 B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S N E W S F RO M A RO U N D T H E S TAT E $33,780 in wireless hotspots and service to the Boys and Girl Club Augusta Teen Center. The National Science Foundation awarded $1.3 million to the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance in Augusta and $951,413 to Bowdoin College in Brunswick to improve in- structional materials of science, tech- nology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for pre-K and kindergarten students and teachers. Starbucks workers unionize in Biddeford Workers at the Starbucks in Biddeford became the first of the giant coffee- shop chain's employees in the state to unionize. Employees voted 9-3 to be represented by Starbucks Workers United, according to the National Labor Relations Board. A total of 24 employees were eligible to vote. e election follows a slew of union elections since December at nearly 300 of the Seattle-based company's 9,000 U.S. stores. Most of the ballot- ings have resulted in victories for the union, it has said. At the Biddeford store, Starbucks employees say they are organizing in an effort to win higher wages and better schedules. ose demands have become especially sore points during the pandemic. ere are 30 Starbucks stores in Maine, but it remains to be seen if others follow Biddeford's lead. N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N Goodwill of Northern New England, a nonprofit in Gorham, said it will invest $100,000 in local nonprofits to expand its impact by providing gift cards to local food banks, shelters and others for the people they serve. Recipients include Bangor Housing Authority, Good Shepherd Food Bank, Hospitality House, In Her Presence and Penquis. Dunkin' of Maine and eastern New Hampshire said that $55,000 was do- nated to the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center through the Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation. The funds were raised as part of the company's Iced Coffee Day. Hospital system inks deal with Anthem Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Central Maine Healthcare said they have renewed a multiyear cov- erage agreement between the insurer and the health care system, includ- ing its three major hospitals, Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital. Announcement of the deal comes as the state's largest health care system, MaineHealth, remains locked in a contract dispute with Anthem over claims each says the other hasn't fully paid. MaineHealth has pledged that its flagship hospi- tal, Maine Medical Center, will exit the Anthem insurance network if millions of dollars are not received from the insurer. Indianapolis-based Anthem Inc. (NYSE: ANTM) is one of the nation's largest health insurance companies. A mem- ber of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, it provides coverage to people in Maine and 13 other states. Skowhegan Savings breaks ground Farmington branch Skowhegan Savings Bank broke ground on a new Farmington branch on Wilton Road, replacing a branch next door. With assets of over $754 million, Skowhegan Savings ranked No. 17 among the largest Maine- based banks in the 2022 Mainebiz Book of Lists. e Skowhegan-based institution has 12 offices and 130 employees. UMA gives 'lift' to its aviation program e University of Maine at Augusta has purchased a new Cirrus SR20 GS airplane that will allow the school to continue expanding its programs in pilot instruction. Funding for the plane, which cost roughly $500,000, was approved last September by the University of Maine System trustees. UMA is one of two universities in New England to offer degrees in both traditional flight and remote pilot instruction. e 6,000-student campus hopes its programs and the new plane will help solve a critical workforce gap in pilot training, and make it easier for veterans to pursue aviation careers after their military service. Enduring water purity means we'll take care of you and your water over the long term. Whether you need a quick water test, a full water filtration system, or ongoing maintenance, you can rely on Fontus. Today, tomorrow, and in the years to come. At Fontus, we're passionate about water purity. As a Maine company, we're committed to providing Mainers with clean, pure water through testing, installation, and on-going maintenance. With Fontus, you'll always know who to call for all your water purity needs. ENDURING WATER PURITY FONTUSWATERTREATMENT.COM 207.856.0066 / Info@FontusH2o.com / 39 Immersion Dr. Suite 3, Scarborough " Highly professional and skilled team. 100% recommend Fontus. Work was explained clearly, no pressure sales tactics, and super quick installation. Couldn't be happier with the experience." — B. Watson, Gorham ME S O U T H E R N C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N

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