Mainebiz

V O L . X X X I I N O. I JA N UA R Y 1 2 , 2 0 2 6 14 E C O N O M I C F O R E C A S T F O C U S Maine's fourth-largest brewery in the 2026 Mainebiz Book of Lists. More broadly, Lever says that today's biggest challenge for Maine craft brewers is operating in a market where costs continue to rise as con- sumer spending tightens. "Independent breweries don't have the economies of scale that domes- tic brands can leverage, which makes decision-making about all aspects of the business more critical than ever," she says. I N D U S T R I A L PA R K S The County's massive business park offers 'promising' outlook B y J o h n O ' M e a r a T he economic outlook for 2026 looks promising for Aroostook County, according to Jonathan Judkins, the President and CEO of the Loring Commerce Center in Limestone. Loring, which is on a former Air Force base, is Maine's largest busi- ness park, with 8,700 acres, and is a key piece of Aroostook County's place in the region's larger economy. "You're able to bridge the gap between rural Maine and access to the internet and the highway," says Judkins. "Never before have we been able to bridge the gap between tradi- tional businesses and science and technology," he says. Now, logging, long a mainstay of the Aroostook economy, might involve computers to harvest the wood. Farming employs GPS to maximize efficiency in the fields. Judkins places Loring Commerce Center firmly in the realm of ground-breaking technology. Judkins is in his second year as president of Loring Commerce Center. "My first official act was to get that potato chip factory in," he says, referring to Taste of Maine, a potato chip facility that will employ a local work force but will also use robotic technology and is scheduled to open in 2026. An event featuring miliary air- craft, Operation Northern Phoenix, is coming together at Loring, slated for June 7-12, 2026. Loring Commerce Center also works with Aero Intelligence, a Kansas company that repairs large aircraft. "ose are the kinds of companies we want to move mountains for," says Judkins. G A M I N G / H O S P I TA L I T Y Bangor is 'just getting started' B y A l e x i s W e l l s D owntown Bangor has continued to grow as a destination, attract- ing visitors and residents alike with entertainment options, increased economic activity and a renewed sense of energy. Hollywood Casino has been part of that. "And amidst that growth, it still feels like we're just getting started," says Marc Guastella, vice president and gen- eral manager of the Hollywood Casino Bangor. "is has become visible year over year, but especially this year as we have celebrated our 20th anniversary and taken time to look back at not just our own history, but the recent develop- ments in the space we call home." Downtown Bangor's growth has included the Maine Savings Amphitheater, home to the Hollywood Casino Concert Series. e Cross Insurance Center, across the street from Hollywood Casino, hosts everything from high school basketball tourna- ments to touring Broadway productions and major concerts in a state-of-the-art indoor venue. "e outlook for Bangor is strong and Hollywood Casino is proud to be a part of it and call this community home," says Guastella. e area has also become a hub for foodies, lovers of art, shoppers and people who enjoy spending time on the riverwalk along the Penobscot River. New restaurants and shops have opened in downtown Bangor as recently as the fourth quarter of 2025, with more on the way, says Guastella. "In December, Bangor ranked as one of the top cities in America to be most like a Hallmark movie setting," says Guastella. "e quaint appeal of Bangor is real, and it is an absolute driver for people to pay a visit. As Bangor contin- ues to expand its offerings to become a destination for Mainers and out-of- staters alike, we expect to see more visi- tors enjoying all that downtown Bangor has to offer." R E A L E S TAT E / S M A L L B U S I N E S S Downtown Portland remains healthy B y A l e x i s W e l l s P ortland's Congress Street corridor has taken its knocks in the past year. But proposed development in downtown Portland — including along Congress Street — signals momentum and a promising future, Cary Tyson, executive director of Portland Downtown, says. e proposals should reassure Mainers that downtown Portland remains healthy. Tyson says the area is seeing sig- nificant proposed investments for the Time and Temperature Building at 477 Congress St. and the M&T Bank building at 465 Congress St. He also cites the initial approval for Old Port Square, which would be Maine's tall- est building, at 30 stories. e Portland Museum of Art plans a $100 million expansion, while blocks away a LiveNation music venue has been proposed. "Regardless of where you stand on the issue, there's an extraordinary investment proposed nearby with the potential LiveNation music venue and the Portland Museum of Art's expan- sion, as well as their purchase of much of upper Free Street," says Tyson. Even with the recent closure of a Renys' store on Congress Street, seven new businesses have launched in recent months, Tyson says, add- ing that the vacancy rate in the Arts District has dropped from 18% to 10%. » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E F I L E P H O T O Marc Guastella, vice president and general manager of the Hollywood Casino Bangor. P H O T O S / C O U R T E S Y O F L O R I N G C O M M E R C E C E N T E R Jonathan Judkins (below) is president and CEO of the Loring Commerce Center in Limestone.

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