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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 15 JA N UA R Y 1 2 , 2 0 2 6 E C O N O M I C F O R E C A S T Congress Street also has anchors like the State eatre, Space, Mechanics Hall, Congress Square Park and Merrill Auditorium. "ere are challenges — Renys' space, anyone? — but if you're looking to launch a new venture, I encourage you to consider Congress Street. Its future remains strong," says Tyson. F O O D P R O D U C T I O N Maine Grains monitors rising expenses B y A l e x i s W e l l s T he Maine Grains building — situ- ated in the heart of Skowhegan in the old 14,000-square-foot former Somerset County prison — has in recent years become something of a business hub. Amber Lambke, co-founder and CEO of Maine Grains, says the com- pany is purchasing a state-of-the-art extrusion line from Germany, capable of producing grain-based cereals, bars, snacks and specialty ingredients, with delivery expected in January. While tariffs will result in an esti- mated 15% increase in what the con- sumer pays for Maine Grains products, the impact is significantly less than initially anticipated. "While we are not currently planning sweeping price increases, we are closely monitoring margins due to increases in packaging, transportation and tariffs," says Lambke. Plans to construct a building on the empty lot next door that would house the Skowhegan Farmers' Market have been tabled for now. Lambke cited the rising cost of construction materials and "the sig- nificant gap between construction cost and new building valuations in rural Maine." C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » F I L E P H O T O Cary Tyson, Portland Downtown F I L E P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY We are closely monitoring margins due to increases in packaging, transportation and tariffs. — Amber Lambke Maine Grains F O C U S Amber Lambke, co-founder and CEO of Maine Grains, is monitoring profit margins. D'arcy Main-Boyington Economic Development Director ecdev@brewermaine.gov / 207-989-7500 W W W. B R E W E R M A I N E . G O V/ B I Z Come see why Brewer means business. Forward Thinking Innovative Consistency You Can Count On