Mainebiz

V O L . X X X I N O. X X I V O C T O B E R 2 0 , 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 be at 1011 Western Ave. in Manchester, Kennebec County. It will be led by first- time franchisees, a local father-and-son team and Winthrop residents, Tom and Keegan Choate. Each shop will employ 15 to 18 people and is under the N O T E W O R T H Y C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N The Alfond Youth & Community Center in Waterville opened the Alfond Lodge at McGrath Pond, a gathering space for dining, events and commu- nity connection at Camp Tracy. Norway Savings Bank announced that it finalized a $190,000 construction loan for Pink Feather Foundation's Forever Home Project currently being constructed on King Street in Oxford. The foundation partners with teachers to confidentially provide clothing and accessories to students at no cost. The University of Maine at Augusta said it received a $250,000 gift from Northeast Delta Dental to launch a workforce development fund for dental hygienists, an initiative to reduce finan- cial barriers for students and strength- en Maine's dental hygiene workforce at a time of critical shortage. MaineGeneral Health in Augusta an- nounced that its annual Day of Hope raised $202,700 to support the expan- sion of its cancer center. The health care system also announced the expansion of its Horizon Program, which provides comprehensive services for people living with HIV/AIDS, from nine to 14 counties, adding Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis and Washington counties. Milestone Funeral Partners in Auburn announced a partnership with New Gloucester-based Mainely Urns and its UrnSpiration brand to bridge the gap between tradition and the modern consumer. Thomas College in Waterville said its 22nd Lunder Scholars Golf Invitational raised $350,000 for student scholarships. PFAS spill blamed on monitoring device An analysis of an accidental PFAS spill in August 2024 at Brunswick Landing finds the cause was not a fire as was first suspected, but a malfunction of an elec- tric monitoring device. In a report com- missioned by the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, which man- ages Brunswick Landing, Kansas-based Poole Fire Protection found that "for unknown reasons" a monitoring module set off an alarm in an airport hangar that caused the fire suppression system to discharge PFAS-containing foam. "Precisely how that piece of equipment, which includes a circuit board with extensive circuitry, failed is something that extends beyond the scope of this report, and would require forensic test- ing," the report concluded. e spill released 1,450 gallons of PFAS concen- trate mixed with 50,000 gallons of water, which reached several local waterways, including the Androscoggin River, Harpswell Cove, Merriconeag Stream and Mare Brook. Aquaculture cleanup nets abandoned gear Abandoned aquaculture equipment that hadn't been used for years — pos- ing a navigational hazard and an eyesore in Downeast waters — was recently removed thanks to a collaborative effort led by the Maine Aquaculture Association in Gardiner. Members of the aquaculture, fishing and conserva- tion communities, state regulators and local businesses and residents par- ticipated in the clean-up of abandoned aquaculture gear in the Mount Desert Narrows of Blue Hill Bay. e equip- ment was located in Great Cove near Bartlett Narrows and Harwood Island. Crews used chainsaws to disassemble 3,220 feet of pipe into manageable pieces that were donated to an individual who is repurposing the plastic. e crew also hauled off a total of 240 yards of debris. 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 Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry and Everybody Eats Free Community Meal announced that they are combining Ellsworth operations. Everybody Eats will operate as a program of Loaves & Fishes. Northern Light extends contract talks Northern Light Health and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield agreed to Custom Occupational Health For Your Custom Business Northern Light Work Health is here to be your partner in a healthy and productive workforce by working with employers to provide the most accessible and customized occupational health experience. Our services keep your people at their best. Our commonly requested services: • Work injury management • Testing services • Immunizations • Physical Exams • Ergonomics • Fit Testing See a full list on our website: workhealthllc.org Phone: 1.844.975.4584 Timothy Schneider, LEED AP BD+C Founder & Senior Consultant SageStone Consulting tps@sagestoneconsulting.com TEL: 207-317-6220 sagestoneconsulting.com Commercial Construction Consulting Ser vices Owner's Representative Owner's Project Management Supporting real estate owner's projects from inception, planning and design through construction, delivery, operation and beyond. At SageStone Consulting, we don't just manage projects — we build partnerships rooted in trust, teamwork, and results. Our relentless commitment to your goals ensures every decision adds value, every detail drives excellence, and every project exceeds expectations. M I D C O A S T & D O W N E A S T N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N

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