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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 JA N UA R Y 2 2 , 2 0 2 4 Mills administration to create educa- tor apprenticeship opportunities to help recruit, train and retain edu- cators in Maine. The University of Southern Maine received $160,000 to start or expand Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs while Patty Williams, professor of early childhood education at the University of Maine at Farmington, was awarded a two- year grant totaling $144,000 to as- sist developing and implementing the teacher apprenticeship program to train and certify future early childhood and early childhood special education professionals. KeyBank grant targets affordable housing Avesta Housing received a $400,000 grant from the KeyBank Foundation to expand services for residents at the nonprofit developer's affordable housing properties. Money will be used to add staff and ensure residents have access to health care, meals and educational and employment oppor- tunities — including job training, professional certification classes and English language learning initiatives. e funds will be awarded over four years. Founded in 1972, Avesta owns and manages roughly 100 properties with more than 3,000 apartments and 4,600 rental residents. rough its HomeOwnership Center, Avesta provides home buyer education classes, financial stability counseling and foreclosure prevention assistance to 1,200 people a year. N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N Maine Water in Saco said it invested $16 million to secure, enhance and sustain high quality drinking water and robust fire protection in its many ser- vice areas throughout Maine in 2023. Fidium Fiber, a fiber internet service provider, announced that its service is now available on Great Diamond Island and Little Diamond Island. Portland Water District's board of trustees approved a combined $60.1 million water and wastewater S O U T H E R N Let us help you write your next chapter. For the life you choose. At Norway Savings Asset Management Group, it's not necessarily the size of your nest egg we care about — it's the story behind it. Your planning decisions are a reflection of your values and your future. They're about the choices you've made to get here, and your vision for what comes next. We take the responsibility of protecting your financial future incredibly seriously. We make sure your story lives on. 207.482.7920 norwaysavings.bank N ot F DIC I n su red • N o B a n k G ua ra ntee • M ay Lose Va lue C R E D I T S & D E B I T S A Carrabassett Valley restaurant known for loyal customers is sold to one — A regular becomes an owner Ellsworth looks for input on plan to build business, development and balance — The gateway to Downeast Maine Maine gets $15M to add hundreds of EV chargers across the state — Combating "range anxiety" Holiday retail sales show modest gain, driven by online sales — A good season despite the Dec. 18 "Grinch" storm GrowSmart Maine panel tackles pros and cons of short-term rentals — An income stream for landlords, but a factor in Maine's lack of workforce housing Mainers, businesses reel from devastating double-punch of winter storms — A dose of every kind of weather this winter P ROV I D E D P H O T O / M A L O N E C O M M E R C I A L B RO K E R S The 1,200-square-foot Hug's Italian Restaurant

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