Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 S E P T E M B E R 8 , 2 0 2 5 way for the $100 million addition. But in the interim, while the museum continues its fundraising efforts, it plans to have a temporary art park at the building site. N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N Suzanne McKechnie launched McKechnie Commercial Realty in Kennebunk. Northern Light and Anthem turn to mediator After ending contract negotiations with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield this summer, Northern Light Health said the two parties may sit down with a third-party mediator to resolve dif- ferences. e effort could help resolve the impasse between the two parties. On Aug. 22, Anthem reached out to Northern Light regarding bringing in a mediator to help reach a con- tract agreement. If the two organiza- tions are still unable to agree to terms, Northern Light will be out of network with Anthem for physicians and ancil- lary service, effective Oct. 1, and out of network with Anthem hospital-based services, effective Dec. 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 Thomas College in Waterville an- nounced that it has raised $3 million within the last 18 months for the Laurie Lachance Leadership Fund to support college-bound Maine students. The college also entered into a partnership with Erskine Academy in South China to extend professional and graduate education offerings to its 82 employ- ees at a discounted rate and its Lunder School of Education introduced an online, asynchronous graduate course, ED599 Neuroaesthetics, designed to explore the connection between the brain, art and learning. The University of Maine at Farmington said that it will launch an online gradu- ate program that will provide working professionals with advanced qualifica- tions to improve their earnings and meet the evolving needs of Maine educators and schools. The program will be avail- able in the Spring 2026 semester. The Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast in Augusta raised a record $55,211 for the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital in Portland at its seventh annual Log A Load for Kids Southern Maine Golf Tournament. TV producer gifts $10M to MDI Hospital Mount Desert Island Hospital received a $10 million lead gift from television producer and philanthropist Dick Wolf to the Building Our Future campaign. e contribution — the largest from an individual in the hospi- tal's history — will accelerate the $55 million effort to modernize the ER, upgrade surgical suites and add a Main Street entrance. Wolf may be best known as the creator of the "Law & Order" franchise, as well as the "Chicago" and "FBI" franchises. 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 The MDI Biological Laboratory in Bar Harbor was awarded a $2.3 million, five- year grant from the National Institutes of Health to support a training initiative that will build the future workforce of regener- ative medicine – a field that is unlocking new ways to heal injury and disease. Equinox Guiding Service in Camden said it hosted its first American Mountain Guides Association Rock Guide Course, a training programs for climbing profession- als, preparing guides to safely and effec- tively lead clients on multi-pitch terrain. Fidium, a national internet provider, expanded its service to Orland and Bucksport, bringing its fiber network to more than 2,400 homes and businesses. GSA to auction off former land port e U.S. General Services Administra- tion will auction off the former land M I D C O A S T & D O W N E A S T C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N Illustrative example only. Costs and coverage may vary. Surest Level Funded, a new health plan for small business employers.* Clear costs, no deductible, copay-only plan. A new option. $150 $500 $250 $250 Curious? surest.care/ levelfunded-newengland N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N

• Cover