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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 JA N UA R Y 2 6 , 2 0 2 6 Maine home sales, prices climb in 2025 Maine Realtors last year closed 15,133 transactions — an increase of 4.78% over the prior year, according to Maine Listings. e median sales price reached $405,000, a rise of 3.85%. For December, single-family home sales increased nearly 12% and were up 4.78% for the calendar year 2025 compared to 2024. Nationally, there was a 1.8% increase in the sales of sin- gle-family existing homes during the month of December, compared to one year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors. N O T E W O R T H Y S T A T E W I D E Versant Power said it invested $550,000 in communities across its service territory in northern and east- ern Maine through its charitable giving and sponsorship programs. The pro- grams supported a variety of organiza- tions and initiatives focusing on energy affordability, basic needs, local events and employee-selected programs. U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Maine State Police was awarded a total of $369,364 through the Department of Justice's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program to sup- port the Special Victims Unit in its responses to online enticement of children by sexual predators, child exploitation, and child obscenity and pornography cases. The Maine Savings Foundation in Hampden announced that Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine, Bangor Public Library, Harold Alfond Youth & Community Center, Maine Needs Inc. and Partners for Peace each received $5,000 as part of the foundation's Beyond Banking Grant Program. The Maine Department of Energy Resources announced $1.2 million in grant awards to three organizations to support energy efficiency work- force training programs across Maine. Recipients included the Association of Energy Services Professionals, $449,052; the Maine Labor Climate Council, $447,500; and the Maine Community College System, $317,000. Hospice of Southern Maine in Scarborough and Andwell Health Partners in Lewiston announced that, effective April 1, they will merge into one nonprofit organization to ensure long-term access to nonprofit hospice, palliative care, home health and sup- portive services throughout the state. Wells landmark diner up for sale e Maine Diner and adjacent gift shop have been listed for $3.3 million by Portland-based Daigle Commercial Group. Founded in 1960, the Maine Diner is a U.S. Route 1 landmark that has been featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." Aroma Joe's opens second Scarborough location Scarborough-based coffee shop chain Aroma Joe's has added a second coffee shop on its home turf, led by two longtime franchisees. Based at 1 Bridges Drive (along Payne Road), the shop will employ 15 to 18 people. N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions Fund awarded Mascoma Community Development $85 million and Evernorth Rural Ventures, a sub- sidiary of Evernorth, $70 million in New Markets Tax Credits. The funding will allow the two community development entities, both with offices in Portland, to direct capital to stimulate economic growth and empower private sector in- vestment in distressed communities. Gather & Give Maine was awarded a $12,000 matching funds grant through the Close the Gap campaign, a na- tional initiative by Grapevine and the Nextdoor Foundation. The money will be used to support Mainers for Humane Immigration, a nonprofit in Springvale. Hannaford Supermarkets in Scarborough donated $20,000 to the American Heart Association to sup- port a series of blood pressure moni- toring events at rural food pantries and meal sites in Maine through the association's Serve Day program. S T A T E W I D E S O U T H E R N W I N D O W S & D O O R S Damariscotta Showroom H A M M O N D L U M B E R . C O M | 1 - 8 0 0 - H A M M O N D L o o k i n g t o s t a r t a w i n d o w s & d o o r s p r o j e c t ? W e ' d l o v e t o h e l p ! V i s i t o n e o f o u r s t o r e s t o g e t s t a r t e d ! 34 LOCATIONS ACROSS MAINE & NEW HAMPSHIRE SHOWROOMS SHOWROOMS Rooted in Maine, Pine Harbor Advisors provides independent retirement planning for small business owners and their employees. We offer objective advice and clear, practical strategies, delivering personalized plans built around your goals and your future . Rooted in Maine, Pine Harbor Advisors provides independent retirement planning for small business owners and their employees. We offer objective advice and clear, practical strategies, delivering personalized plans built around your goals and your future. IIS Financial Services is now... Scan here to view our new website: Portland: 707 Sable Oaks Drive Suite 203 South Portland, ME 04106 Augusta: 45 Memorial Circle Suite 104 Augusta, ME 04330 207-761-4733 info@pineharboradvisors.com pineharboradvisors.com Scan here learn more about how we support small business: Securities and advisory services offered through Cetera Advisors LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, a broker/dealer and Registered Investment Adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.