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V O L . X X X N O. I JA N UA R Y 8 , 2 0 2 4 6 Minimum wage raised With the start of the new year, the minimum wage requirement in Maine has increased from $13.80 an hour to $14.15. In addition, the minimum for employees who receive tips increased to $7.08 per hour. at means employers must pay service workers at least that much in direct cash wages, and must be able to show that the workers receive at least $14.15 per hour when the wages and tips are combined at the end of the week. Maine law, amended by a citizens referendum in 2016, requires annual adjustments to the minimum wage based on a federal cost-of-living index for the Northeast region. Between August 2022 and August 2023, the index climbed 2.4%. N O T E W O R T H Y S T A T E W I D E The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency completed required comprehen- sive site cleanup reviews, or 5-year re- views, of two National Priority List Sites (Superfund sites) across Maine. Sites reviewed were McKin Co. in Gray and West Site/Hows Corners in Plymouth. The Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded a $1 million public assistance grant to reimburse the Maine Department of Health and Human Services for the cost of rent- ing hotel rooms between March and July 2021 for providing non-congregate sheltering for vulnerable populations during the pandemic. Gov. Janet Mills announced a total of $985,000 in grants awarded to six school districts and educational institutions to recruit, train and retain educators through pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship pilot programs. Recipients included Portland Public Schools, $250,000; RSU #34, $249,000; University of Southern Maine, $162,000; University of Maine Farmington, $144,000; Brunswick School Department, $105,000; and MSAD 1 / RSU #79, $75,000. U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King announced that five farms in Maine received a total of $1 mil- lion through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's value-added pro- ducer grants program. Herbal Revolution Farm & Apothecary and William H. Jordan Farm each re- ceived $250,000; Ledgeway Farm, $249,975; Balfour Farm, $249,917; and Fields Fields Blueberries, $10,000. News Center Maine announced that its sixth statewide Honor Flight Maine Telethon raised $221,704 in support of Maine's veterans. The Maine Department of Environ- mental Protection announced that its Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program awarded a total of $6.3 mil- lion to 11 projects across the state that will restore, enhance or protect wetlands and other important natural resources. Maine Health impact Maine Medical Center in Portland and Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford released Community Benefit Reports that said the two hospitals provided a combined $555 million in total benefit to the south- ern Maine community in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2022. B U S I N E S S M A I N E Business news from around the state S T A T E W I D E S O U T H E R N B R I E F 'Grinch' storm knocks out power, causes major flooding B y P e t e r V a n A l l e n H igh winds and drenching rains wreaked havoc on much of Maine in a holiday "Grinch" storm. The Dec. 18 storm unleashed up to 6 inches of rain in the mountains of Maine, which led to flooding in the days after. Some 524,000 customers lost power in the storm, as winds up to 60 miles per hour knocked down trees and power lines. Damage was reported from coastal areas to the mountains. In the days following the storm, cities and towns on major rivers braced for flooding. Parts of downtown Waterville, Hallowell, Augusta and Skowhegan reported flooding. In Skowhegan, the historic Spinning Mill, which is under- going renovations, sustained an estimated $3 million in damage, as the Kennebec River rose out of its banks and flooded the mill's basement and tossed around shipping containers filled with building materials. Dash Davidson, who is leading the redevelopment, described the flooding as "a real bummer." Davidson said there was 5 feet of water in the basement of the building. It's believed to be the worst flooding in Skowhegan since 1987. "We had hoped to get our certificate of occupancy for the basement and first floor by next week," Davidson told Mainebiz by phone. Instead, "we expect about a $3 million damage bill," between cleanup and repairs. He is insured. Maine's six major ski areas were shut down by the storm. With the mountains receiving up to 6 inches of rain on top of snowpack, ski areas reported widespread flooding, washed out roads and damaged infrastructure. Most were able to reopen for the key Christmas weekend. "We're happy to share that Sugarloaf fared better than expected given the 6-plus inches of rain that fell," Jessica Sechler, marketing director for the resort, told Mainebiz in advance of Christmas. "These next couple of days are pro- viding a great window for our snowmaking team to resurface key areas on the mountain as we prepare to open more terrain heading into the weekend." Lunch for cleanup crews Feeding the utility and tree crews was a major undertaking in itself. Some 5,600 lunches were produced for crews and support staff. Central Maine Power said meals were provided by the Riverside Quik Stop, Flagstaff General Store, Bishop's, Al's Pizza, 100 Mountain Market and Amato's. Crews found a warm haven at the T&B Outback Tavern in Skowhegan, Governor's Restaurant in Waterville, Calumet Club in Augusta and the American Legion in Farmington, CMP said. P H O T O S / J I M N E U G E R The Lewiston-Auburn area was among the areas hard hit by a Dec. 18 rainstorm and subsequent flooding.

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