Mainebiz

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 JA N UA R Y 8 , 2 0 2 4 Featured @ Mainebiz.biz For a daily digest of Maine's top business news, sign up for the Mainebiz Daily Report at mainebiz.biz/enews From the Editor Y ou can forgive Maine business owners and lead- ers if they're feeling a bit uneasy about making predictions for the coming year. Going back to the Mainebiz "outlook" issue in January 2020, there was a lot of optimism. Businesspeople were finally feeling good after a prolonged recovery from the Great Recession of 2008-09. And then — BAM! — the pandemic changed all of that. In the past three years, we've noticed a pro- nounced lack of confidence about the economy. e 2023 economy was strong, with some cave- ats — higher interest rates, escalating costs, lack of affordable housing and a limited labor pool. Going into 2024, we asked roughly 20 leaders to offer their forecast. Nearly all offered tempered optimism: e econ- omy is strong, but … ere's demand for real estate, but … My industry is faring well, but … You get the idea. In recent polls, we've asked readers for their opinion about what's ahead. In one poll, 40% of voters said they expect busi- ness in 2024 to be about the same as 2023. e other voters were divided, with 37% saying this year will be better than last and 24% saying it will be worse. In another poll, we asked whether readers plan to invest in their businesses. About a third, 30%, said they plan to invest in technology or related prod- ucts. One in five voters said they plan to add work- ers. Six percent plan a physical expansion or new construction. Another 19% plan all three of those investments. But 24% said they plan no investment whatsoever. One other note: Readers might notice the 30th anniversary logo on the cover. Yes, Mainebiz is reaching a big milestone this year, with events and a special issue planned. More on this to come. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz In the past three years we've noticed a pronounced lack of confidence about the economy. P H O T O / P E T E R M O R N E A U 1 1. Tom's of Maine founders put Kennebunk home on the market 2. 'Maine Cabin Masters' star branches out with her own Maine-inspired home decor 3. 3 Maine nonprofits receive $7.4M in giving from billionaire MacKenzie Scott 4. 'Maine Cabin Masters' star expands her business with line of holiday home decor 5. Massachusetts hotelier buys Ogunquit Inn — its 24th property in Maine 6. Three Maine restaurants named to OpenTable Top 100 list 7. Here are the 134 Best Places to Work in Maine 8. Big Papi takes a swing at Maine cannabis market 9. Friday Food Insider: Restaurants are opening, closing and changing hands 10. Largest military shipbuilder in U.S. leases space in Portland Get all the news every day on Mainebiz.biz or by subscribing to the Daily Report and Real Estate Insider newsletters. Looking back, here are the top 10 stories from 2023: bernsteinshur.com Meet Lindsay. Lindsay helps entrepreneurs acquire businesses in financial distress, and also counsels businesses in restructuring their financial obligations and renegotiating their contracts and other liabilities. We're attorneys. But we're people first. Lindsay Zahradka Milne, Attorney and Shareholder Business has been good, so why is the outlook so gloomy?

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