Mainebiz

V O L . X X X I N O. X I M AY 1 9 , 2 0 2 5 8 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 is deeply disappointing, and MCA is exploring Maine's options to respond to the legality of the grant termi- nation," said Andrew Butcher, the authority's president. "Our team is evaluating how to best proceed with critical programming and invest- ments currently underway through our statewide digital equity strategy." e Maine Connectivity Authority, a quasi-public independent agency, received notification from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration that, as of May 9, the administration ended grants funding programs to improve digital skills, provide internet safety education and ensure people have affordable devices. N O T E W O R T H Y S T A T E W I D E U.S. Sen. Susan Collins announced that the state of Maine will receive $4 million in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding, bringing the state's total allotment to $41.6 million for Fiscal Year 2025. The heads of the Retail Association of Maine and the Maine Grocers and Food Producers Association have launched a company that leverages their association man- agement expertise for the broader industry. Curtis Picard, Christine Cummings and Amy Downing opened PCD Collective to offer associa- tion management services. Picard and Downing are Retail Association of Maine's president and CEO and executive director, respectively. Cummings is executive director of the Maine Grocers and Food Producers Association. They are all remaining with their associations, while rolling out PCD in the offices of Retail Association of Maine at 45 Melville St. in Augusta. The Maine App Challenge, which is sponsored by Tyler Technologies Inc., said its 2025 winners were Eugene Irving Frost of Mountain Valley High School, Everett Hurder of Gorham High School and Oliver Emerson, also of Gorham High School. They received a total of $10,000 in the form of 529 college savings plans funds. In addition to the three prizes for the individual winners, Tyler awarded $500 to Deering High School in Portland for having the most teams or individuals submitting an eligible entry. Portland extends moratorium on hotel development Portland City Council voted unani- mously May 5 to extend the ban on new hotel development in the city to give policy makers more time to review a controversial zoning restric- tion tied to the housing shortage. e current 180-day moratorium was set to expire June 2. e ratio- nale behind the provision is that new hotels strain the already tight housing market by usurping land or existing buildings that could instead support new housing, and they cre- ate jobs for employees who cannot find housing affordable to hospital- ity incomes. e Hotel Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance, requires any new hospitality property with 10 rooms or more to either create one unit of affordable housing for every 28 rooms or pay a fee of $4,831 per room, to the city's Housing Trust Fund. Freeport OKs TIF financing for senior housing Freeport Town Council approved tax increment financing to support a 42-unit affordable housing facility off of U.S. Route 1. Varney Heights Senior Apartments will be built on a 9.2 acre lot at 22 Varney Road. It will be a joint project between the Freeport Housing Authority and Augusta-based developer Timothy Gooch. e housing authority is leveraging town TIF funding with MaineHousing grants and loans and low-income housing tax credits to fund the $16 million project bud- get. Varney Heights was approved in November 2024 and is expected to break ground this summer. New residents are expected to move in in Fall 2026. N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N Lazy Sun, an outdoor apparel and lifestyle shop, opened at 28 Exchange St. in Portland's Old Port neighborhood. The Institute for Family-Owned Business in Portland launched the IFOB Maine Futures Scholarship open to Maine residents pursuing a degree or certificate at an accredited post- secondary Maine-based institution. We took out the photo album at our ��rst meeting. R M D AV I S . C O M | P O R T L A N D , M E | P O R T S M O U T H , N H INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT • FINANCIAL PLANNING • TRUSTEE SERVICES Meeting you where you are in life. It's that simple. S O U T H E R N

• Cover