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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 S E P T E M B E R 2 2 , 2 0 2 5 From the Editor I n the past five years, we've seen some rapid changes in Maine, particularly in the demand for housing and the skyrocketing cost of buying or renting a home. Augusta has not always been part of that discussion. But, in our cover story, Senior Writer Laurie Schreiber shows that the state capital does, in fact, have some development momen- tum. Mixed-use construction, downtown con- versions and hundreds of residential units are in the works, as she reports. "Augusta has done a great job working with developers and owners to make the downtown a more open place for development," says one entrepreneur. "When you go to downtown Augusta, you'll see a lot more restaurants, apart- ments and local shops that weren't around five years ago." Laurie's story, "Capital development," starts on Page 12. At a time when there's a lot of conflict in the world, it's nice to know there are some places in Maine where the community has your back. Hallowell, just six miles from the state capi- tal, is one such place. Staff Writer Tina Fischer spent time in the city of 2,600 people. She found a place with some of the same challenges faced in many other northern New England spots — including a need for affordable housing and the urgency of dealing with water-quality issues created by PFAS — but also a thriving downtown and some community members committed to build- ing on the quality of life there. "Hallowell is an amazing town full of artistic, social people who like to contribute to the com- munity," one downtown business owner tells Mainebiz. "Everyone always pitches in." Tina's story, "Hallowell thrives amid chal- lenges," starts on Page 20. 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 Sept. 2–15. 1. A tiny portion of Acadia National Park is a big driver of this summer's visitor boom 2. MaineHealth to invest $70M to create orthopedic hub in South Portland 3. Colby College gets record $150M gift to build science complex 4. Westbrook industrial property sold for $13M in off-market deal 5. Monson's moment: A photographer visits a Maine town with an arts community and a James Beard Award- winning restaurant 6. Owners of Bangor bakery to add apartments across the street 7. B2B trade show and media company 'right sizes' its Portland HQ 8. Maine snack attack: Startups aim to take bite out of $173 billion US market 9. Commercial real estate broker starts boutique firm in Kennebunk 10. Portland leaders spar over downtown revitalization F I L E P H O T O / L A U R I E S C H R E I B E R 1 At a time when there's a lot of conflict in the world, it's nice to know there are some places in Maine where the community has your back. We're attorneys. But we're people first. Meet John. A seasoned business lawyer, John offers sound, strategic advice to businesses across emerging and mature industries, guiding them through every stage of their lifecycle, from start-up and funding to growth and exit — and all of the crucial steps in between. bernsteinshur.com John J. Moran Shareholder 'Pitching in' a key theme in central Maine

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