Mainebiz

V O L . X X X I N O. X X V N OV E M B E R 3 , 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 property for $873,872. e real estate purchase included seating, a bar and brewing equipment. An opening date hasn't been set yet, but brewing is expected to start soon. e operation is licensed to bring in beer from other producers, too, and to sell prepack- aged food. e plan is to install a kitchen at a later date. Portland honors five local businesses Five Portland businesses, from a matcha cafe to a housing developer, will be rec- ognized next month at the city's Annual Business Awards for their contributions to the local economy. Recipients include Matcha Mood, Redfern Properties, SMRT Architects & Engineers, Factory 3 and David Wood Clothiers. Video production company moves to Portland Knack Factory, a video production company has leased a 3,900-square- foot studio at 83 Bell St. in Portland. e company produces commercials, promotional videos and documen- taries, and also rents the studio on Bell Street to other creatives. Knack Factory moved from a former space in the Stockhouse Building on Main Street in Westbrook. N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N Simons Architects in Portland said its founding principal, Scott Simons, will retire at the end of March 2026, after 48 years in the architecture industry. Simons founded the firm in 1995 and co-founded the Portland Society for Architecture. Southern Maine Community College in South Portland said its fall enroll- ment rose 5.8%. Bridgton will get a hotel next year Hotel Bridgton, a 65-room hotel developed and built by Justin McIver, founder of Main Eco Homes, will open in downtown Bridgton next summer. e 42,296-square-foot hotel incorporates natural materials, sus- tainable construction practices includ- ing solar panels, and interior details to create the feel of a lakeside retreat rather than a traditional hotel. It will feature an indoor heated pool, fitness center, meeting and event space for up to 50, a bar and lounge and a grab- and-go food and beverage shop. 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 United Way of Kennebec Valley and the Alfond Youth & Community Center in Waterville launched the Family Futures Scholarship Program, an initiative designed to help parents pursue higher education while ensur- ing their children receive quality child- care and youth programming. Norway Saving Bank contributed $10,000 to Viking FUNds, bringing the to- tal donations from the bank to $20,000 in 2025. The bank-initiated program helps fund enjoyable, educational and enlightening field trips for elementary- school students in MSAD #17. Princeton Review cites three Maine colleges on 'green' list Maine's College of the Atlantic, with full-time enrollment of 353 students, topped the Princeton Review's "Guide to Green Colleges" for the 10th year in a row. e Bar Harbor school says 100% of its campus energy comes from Maine renewables and 99% of food waste is diverted from the landfill. Jackson Laboratory acquires stem cell nonprofit Jackson Laboratory, a genetics and genomic medicine organization head- quartered in Bar Harbor, completed its acquisition of the New York Stem Cell Foundation, a nonprofit that developed an AI platform for large- scale data in stem cell research. e deal "marks a turning point for bio- medical research," combining genetic expertise with automation technolo- gies that could accelerate therapies for diseases like cancer. New training hub at Brunswick Landing Two new facilities at Brunswick Landing aim to accelerate skilled labor and R&D for Maine's shipbuilding, aerospace and defense sectors. e Maritime Industrial Workforce Training Center — a 50,000-square-foot Maine Maritime Academy facility at 46 Burbank Ave., in the former Wayfair D I S T R I B U T O R S & S U P P L I E R S G R O U P T R U S T R E F U N D A N N O U N C E M E N T DISTRIBUTORS & SUPPLIERS RECEIVED $1,058,000 IN 2025! Here's what some of our members are saying: The Distributors & Suppliers Workers' Compensation Self Insurance Group Trust (D&S) is pleased to announce that it issued $1,058,000 in refunds to its membership in 2025! The refund recognizes the outstanding commitment to safety and strong performance demonstrated by all of their members. D&S was created by employers in the wholesale distribution, transportation, warehousing and supply chain industries for like businesses to join together to ensure the safety of their employees. As a result, D&S is one of the most successful, cost-effective providers of workers' compensation coverage in Maine. During the last 32 years D&S has refunded $28.4 million, which is 29% of all premium paid, to its members, while maintaining industry leading safe workplaces for their employees. If your organization is interested in reducing workers' compensation expenses while promoting workplace safety, we invite you to learn more about our Group Self-Funded Workers' Compensation program. Join a community of like-minded employers who are taking control of their coverage and benefiting from cost savings and a team of support. For additional information visit our website distributorsandsuppliersgrouptrust.com Distributors Trust has brought discipline and accountability to our safety program. The quality of knowledge from the Cross Team is very beneficial. The training seminars have been a great resource for our managers. — Glen Frost-CFO-Bisson Moving & Storage Joining the Distributor & Supplier's Worker's Compensation Self-Funded Group Trust has been one of the best decisions we've made for our business. Not only have we seen significant cost savings on our workers' compensation premiums, but we've also benefited from a level of support and transparency that's hard to find elsewhere. The group truly prioritizes safety and long-term stability, and their proactive risk management services have helped us reduce claims and keep our workforce protected. It's more than just insurance — it's a partnership that gives us confidence and control. We're proud to be a member. — Amos McCannell-Chief Financial Officer- H. O. Bouchard Inc. Our partnership with the D&S Group Trust keeps us proactive in managing risk, advancing employee well-being, and strengthening results through shared expertise. — Christine Fox-Human Resources Manager- Nappi Distributors 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

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