Mainebiz

V O L . X X X N O. V I I A P R I L 1 , 2 0 2 4 6 The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $10 million to the state of Maine to support the installation of high-efficiency heat pump systems in approximately 675 rural mobile and manufactured homes in Maine. This federally funded initiative was the result of a partnership between Efficiency Maine, the Governor's Energy Office and MaineHousing focusing on the specific needs of residents in mobile and manufactured homes. According to Maine Listings, home sales jumped 11.44% in February, year- over-year, across Maine's 16 counties. The median sales price for homes sold reached $354,000 in February, an in- crease of 7.52% over February 2023. The University of New England Online announced it is offering a six- week, 100% online End-of-Life Pet B U S I N E S S M A I N E Business news from around the state Looking for a bank you can trust to be here now and in the future? Bank with a neighbor. During our 170+ years in Maine, we've seen our share of banks come and go, merge, change names or close their doors. In all that time, Bath Savings has been here. We're your neighbors. We live and work in your communities. We know and care about the people who walk through the door, and we strive to provide exceptional service in everything we do. Bank with a neighbor. Call or visit us today. MEMBER FDIC EQUAL HOUSING LENDER 1-800-447-4559 | bathsavings.bank Michelle Barker Vice President, Freeport Branch Manager Linda Bean, a Maine business icon in her own right, dies at 82 B y W i l l i a m H a l l L inda L. Bean, a Maine business icon like her grandfa- ther, L.L.Bean Inc. founder Leon Leonwood Bean, died March 23 at age 82. "We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of Linda L. Bean," said Veronika Carlson, president of Linda Bean's Perfect Maine Hospitality, in a statement. A resident of St. George, Bean ran a variety of successful enterprises under the brand Linda Bean's Perfect Maine. They included a business that sold and shipped lobster nationwide; seven restaurants and lobster stands; a vari- ety of vacation home rentals and an event venue; the Port Clyde General Store and the Tenants Harbor General Store. Bean was also a philanthropist and Republican politi- cal candidate who twice ran unsuccessfully for election to the U.S. House from Maine's 1st Congressional District. She held board positions with numerous nonprofit institutions including the Maine Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, the Portland Museum of Art, Collections of the Maine Historical Society and the Brandywine Conservancy & Art Museum in Pennsylvania. Bean's death was mourned by prominent Mainers including U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who said in a statement, "Linda Bean loved the State of Maine. Its coastal communities, islands, and art, particularly by the Wyeths, had a special place in her heart. "Linda also was an astute businesswoman who promoted Maine lobster through her restaurants. Many a time while waiting for my plane in Portland, I had a cup of her famous lobster stew at her airport restaurant. "My heart goes out to her sons and other family mem- bers as they mourn the loss of this remarkable Mainer." B R I E F F I L E P H O T O N O T E W O R T H Y S T A T E W I D E S T A T E W I D E N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N S O U T H E R N

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