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V O L . X X I X N O. X V I J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 2 3 12 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 The University of Maine School of Nursing received a $1.96 million grant to provide financial assistance and new educational opportunities to aspiring family nurse prac- titioners, with the goal of improving access to primary care in rural and underserved regions of Maine. The four-year grant from the Health Services Resources Administra- tion's Advanced Nursing Education Work- force program will allow UMaine Nursing to provide financial support to approxi- mately 40 students pursuing a master of science in nursing degree with a family nurse practitioner concentration. New England Kenworth, a parts, service and truck dealership, opened a location at 1101 Presque Isle Road in Caribou. The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation awarded $200,000 to Northern Light Acadia Hospital's Acadia For All cam- paign. The grant will support all aspects of the campaign, including the construction of 50 private rooms as part of an inpatient pediatric wing as well as upgrading 50 existing patient rooms to private adult inpatient rooms. When you're taking on the next big construction project, you need a legal team that can keep up. We provide clients with world-class, cost-effective representation. From real estate to engineering, commercial to residential construction, we can help. (207) 774-2635 | perkinsthompson.com One Firm, All Your Legal Needs B R I E F Mills budget establishes paid family and medical leave program B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r G ov. Janet Mill signed into law July 11 a budget that creates a paid family and medical leave program and cuts taxes for Maine retirees. The paid family and medical leave program was included in order to provide more flexibility for businesses, and pro- vides $25 million in one-time start-up funding, according to a news release. Maine will be the 13th state to establish a program and benefits will be available as of May 1, 2026. While the paid-leave plan has its detractors and still leaves questions about how small businesses will adapt to the new regulation, Mills said the program was among several that would benefit Maine's residents. "From establishing a paid family and medical leave program to strengthening education, housing, child care, our workforce, and delivering tax relief for seniors, this budget makes transfor- mative investments in Maine people," Mills said in a statement. AARP Maine called the program a "historic win for Maine's 166,000 family caregivers." "This new law will support family caregivers who work to better balance their job and family responsibilities, reducing their stress and allowing them to better care for their loved ones," said Noël Bonam, state director for AARP Maine. Many of Maine's caregiv- ers also work full- or part- time jobs. The $445 million budget, which builds on the current ser vices budget, results in a $10.3 billion biennial budget. As required by the Maine Constitution, the budget is balanced. It will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns. Another program that got the go-ahead was the Dirigo Business Incentive Program, a replacement for the Pine Tree Development Zone program, that provides tax credits to businesses to train workers and invest in capital. But third-term state Rep. Joshua Morris, R-Turner, decried the budget as a "scheme" that "raises taxes on hardwork- ing Mainers and increases spending above the already- record levels Mainers have been subjected to since Mills assumed office." He added, "It pulls the rug out from under our seniors and is a terrible blueprint for the future of Maine." The paid-leave plan has its detractors and still leaves questions about how small businesses will adapt to the new regulation N O T E W O R T H Y N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N

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