Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1531216
V O L . X X X I N O. I JA N UA R Y 1 3 , 2 0 2 5 4 A division of New England Business Media LLC C E O / GROUP PUBLISHER Peter Stanton P R E S I D E N T Tom Curtin DIGITAL DIRECTOR Jan Holder SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGERS Ken Hanson, Kerry Rasor, Betsy VanderPloeg ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Michelle Phillips EVENTS & MARKETING DIRECTOR Samantha Elliott OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Allison Spies AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST Leah Allen RESEARCH DIRECTOR Stephanie Meagher RESEARCH ASSISTANT Heide Martin ART DIRECTOR Matt Selva HOSPITALITY Buster HOSPITALITY EMERITUS Malcolm, Zoey PUBLISHER Andrea Tetzlaff EDITOR Peter Van Allen SENIOR WRITERS Renee Cordes Laurie Schreiber DIGITAL EDITOR Alexis Wells CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mark Jeanneret Carrie Yardley C O N T E N T S E C O N O M I C F O R E C A S T F O C U S 10 25 bold predictions for 2025 11 MAINE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION MDF's Breen sets the tone for 'hopeful' 2025 11 AFFORDABLE HOUSING Optimism continues for development of affordable housing 12 HEAT PUMPS Marketplace for heat pumps is heating up 12 SPACE Interest in Maine's New Space industry will skyrocket 12 CLIMATE CHANGE Bulletproofing Maine's working waterfront 13 CRUISE SHIPS Bar Harbor likely to see cruise ship slump, but other ports remain strong 14 LIFE SCIENCES Life sciences sector growth could outpace other industries 14 BANKS Maine banking chief sees merger momentum staying strong 16 REAL ESTATE Real estate experts expect shift in Maine residential growth, 'normal' year for commercial 17 RETAIL / RESTAURANT Energy and foot traffic could define Portland's retail and restaurant scene 17 RETAIL Maine's retail industry could see potential effect from trade tariffs 18 RETAIL / MANUFACTURING Resurgence fortifies an ice cream maker's outlook 19 TOWN DEVELOPMENT Skowhegan ready for new development in 2025 20 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE State Chamber is looking to work out the 'wrinkles' 21 POLICY Policy changes could create challenges for businesses