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V I E W P O I N T S W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 3 M A R C H 1 0 , 2 0 2 5 From the Editor M aine business owners have a lot to worry about these days. But based on stories we've run, conversations we're having and results of polls we've taken, some topics seem more pressing than others. is is just one perspective, but based entirely on what we're hearing now, here are the top 5 things on the mind of Maine business owners: Tariff on Canadian goods. reats of tariffs with Mexico and China had a bit more abstract feel, but the tax on goods coming from our north- ern neighbors is weighing heavily on businesses. Fears stem around hikes in prices for heating fuel, gasoline and construction materials — all of which could affect the cost of running a busi- ness. A poll of Mainebiz readers found that 73% of respondents said we need to "do everything we can to avoid a trade war" with Canada. Taxes and the cost of doing business. is big, messy topic encompasses state and local tax burdens, regulatory issues and inflation. It's a catch-all that has a lot of business owners feeling frustrated and powerless. Workforce shortages and rising wages. ese two issues go hand-in-hand. Jobs are going unfilled. Workers that are retiring cannot be replaced. And when business owners find a suitable replacement, the wage or salary demands often test the operations budget. Lack of affordable housing. is is tied in with the previous issue. It's harder to find work- ers if the people in the labor pool can't afford the area where you're based. is issue affects work- ers at the bottom of the pay scale and workers at the top of the scale. Need for child care, cost of health benefits. ese are related to what we might call the happy home factor. You seldom hire a person who doesn't have family or outside obligations. Changes in health benefits, lack of child care — these issues often lurk in the background for business owners. But the cost of health care and an employee who quits because they can't find child care — those end up being direct areas of concern for a business owner. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz Featured @ Mainebiz.biz For a daily digest of Maine's top business news, sign up for the Mainebiz Daily Report at mainebiz.biz/enews Mainebiz offers the latest business news in the Daily Report and the Real Estate Insider newsletters. Here is the top content from Feb.17 to March 3. 1. South Portland's Mall Plaza — across from Maine Mall — sells for $20M 2. Bar Harbor college becomes first nationwide to eliminate disposable plastic food containers 3. Maine's U.S. attorney has been terminated by Trump administration 4. Jagger Mill renovation project will bring 86 apartments to Sanford 5. At Portland fitness studio, surging demand prompts expansion 6. Collins asks Navy to exempt Kittery shipyard employees from job reductions 7. Eaton Peabody startup team leaves to start own law firm 8. Green and growing: 3 startups powering Maine's eco-economy 9. Room to cruise: Harley-Davidson dealership will move from Portland to Gorham 10. Lewiston's refurbished Picker House Lofts is now welcoming tenants P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y N E W M A R K 1 For Maine business owners, there's plenty to lose sleep over. These five issues might cause the worst nightmares. We're attorneys. But we're people first. Meet Tony. A dedicated business advisor and tech start-up guide, Tony has a passion for setting companies and entrepreneurs on the path to success, including those in the fast-evolving biotech and life sciences industries. bernsteinshur.com Anthony E. Perkins Shareholder 5 topics on the minds of Maine business leaders

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