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V O L . X X X N O. X I M AY 1 3 , 2 0 2 4 10 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 N O T E W O R T H Y M I D C O A S T & D O W N E A S T Peregrine Turbine Technologies, a developer of energy conversion, stor- age and propulsion technologies in Wiscasset, announced a collabora- tion with Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. aimed at integrating its collective energy conversion system and ad- vanced heat exchanger technologies to enhance clean energy generation through advanced nuclear and turbine technologies. GAC Chemical Corp. in Searsport is celebrating 30 years in Maine. VA clinic opens in Presque Isle e Department of Veterans Affairs clinic opened in Presque Isle that's 50% larger than the former clinic 15 miles away. e Presque Isle clinic has more than 8,000 square feet at 732 Main St., and replaces the clinic at 163 Van Buren Road, Caribou. e larger space provides more Reduce your costs, streamline payments, and avoid cash-flow disruptions with Merchant Services from GSB. Low rates, great tech, and local service: now that's a partnership you can bank on. See for yourself. Call (207) 221-8460 for a free statement review. LOCAL, RELIABLE, LOW- COST MERCHANT SERVICES N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N State effort aims to put more Maine women in hard hats B y R e n e e C o r d e s T o bring more women into Maine's male-dominated con- struction workforce, Gov. Janet Mills has signed an execu- tive order outlining measures around recruitment, training and retention. The order directs several state agencies to take a series of actions to better measure the shortage of qualified workers in construction, connect women with employment opportuni- ties and to pursue state and federal funding to incentivize the hiring of women. Despite making up only 15% of Maine's construction workforce, women in Maine are slowly chipping away at the industry's glass ceiling of roles from laborers to leaders, as detailed in a 2022 Mainebiz cover story. "Women are a crucial part of Maine's workforce, and they should be welcomed and embraced in every sector of our economy, including those traditionally dominated by men like the construction industry and the trades," Mills said. "This executive order will create pathways for more women to enter and succeed in these important jobs at a time when our state and the industry needs them most." 'Workforce for the future' Kelly Flagg, executive director of the Associated General Contractors of Maine, welcomed the initiative. "It is important that we send the message that there are careers for everyone in this industry and that the doors are open to anyone wishing to investigate a possible future career in construction," Flagg told Mainebiz. She noted that several years ago, her organization adopted an initiative to promote construction as the industry of choice for diverse and talented workers by building inclusive work environments in construction firms nationwide. "We have kept this in the forefront of our workforce devel- opment efforts and continue to see more diversity in those selecting construction as a career of choice," Flagg said. "Our Maine Construction Academy metrics show a sig- nificantly more diverse population than has been histori- cally represented, including showing an increase in women choosing construction," she said. For 2024, the program applicant pool was over 25% female, she noted. P ROV I D E D P H O T O / O F F I C E O F G OV. M I L L S P O L I T I C S & C O. Gov Janet Mills signed the executive order on May 6.

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