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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 J U LY 2 8 , 2 0 2 5 SNAP benefits in jeopardy Good Shepherd Food Bank said it's concerned for the nearly 50,000 Mainers receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ben- efits. e Auburn-based nonprofit said the federal budget reconciliation bill signed into law on July 4 could shift around $60 million in annual SNAP funding previously provided by the federal government to the state, resulting in the loss of an esti- mated 20 million meals to Mainers. e cut could result in the loss or reduction of benefits and place pres- sure on Good Shepherd and Maine's entire charitable food network, the food bank said. 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 Department of Education awarded a total of $5.4 million in TRIO Student Support Services grants to 11 Maine colleges and universi- ties. Collins also said six Maine airports received a total of $2.3 mil- lion to support important infrastruc- ture improvements from the Federal Aviation Administration's fiscal year 2025 airport infrastructure grants. L.L.Bean CEO to step down next year After a decade at the helm of L.L.Bean, Stephen Smith plans to step down as president and CEO in spring 2026, the Freeport-based maker and retailer of outdoor apparel and gear announced July 14. Smith, the first outsider to lead the family-owned business and second non-family member in the role, did not give a reason for his planned departure. He will turn 55 at the end of July. e company's board of directors, led by Chairman Shawn Gorman, has started a search for Smith's successor, promising a "seamless handoff," the company said. N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N Powers Media House, a video and photography company, opened a production studio called Studio120 at 1 Industrial Way in Portland. The Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust in Cumberland permanently pro- tected a 77-acre forested property in Cumberland known as Watson Woods through purchase of the property. North Yarmouth Academy launched the Sheldon MINT (Money Intelligence Now and for Tomorrow) Lab, a financial literacy program that will provide every 9-12 grade student with the knowledge and skills need- ed to make informed personal finan- cial decisions, including managing a real $40,000 endowment portfolio. Partners Bank in Sanford awarded 22 scholarships totaling $34,000 to support graduating high school se- niors from area schools across Maine and New Hampshire. The bank also donated $100,000 to the Kingston Community Library in Kingston, N.H., to support its Outdoor Community Center project. Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program in Brunswick received a $95,000 Lowe's Hometowns grant that will be used to renovate its main food pantry and soup kitchen. Great Bay Spa and Sauna in Portsmouth, N.H., said it will open a Maine location, at 357 Maine Mall Road in South Portland. Deal will combine two lumber companies Hammond Lumber Co. announced plans to acquire Ware-Butler Building Supply in a move that will expand its retail and manufacturing capacity and strengthen its standing as one of the largest independent building mate- rial retailers in the Northeast. e combined company will employ more than 1,200 people across 34 retail loca- tions in Maine and New Hampshire. e deal, announced July 22, was expected to close on July 31. N O T E W O R T H Y C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N Healthy Communities of the Capital Area in Hallowell said it received a $35,000 general operating grant from S T A T E W I D E S O U T H E R N C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N (207) 282-7697 | ncormier@pmconstruction.com | www.pmconstruction.com WE BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

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