Mainebiz

V O L . X X X I I N O. I I I F E B R UA R Y 9 , 2 0 2 6 6 Gov. Janet Mills used her "State of the State" address to unveil economic initiatives from housing to $300 relief checks for eligible residents. Her housing plan would use money from Maine's record $1 billion-plus Rainy Day Fund to build 825 dwellings across the state. The plan calls for using $17.5 million in one-time allocations from the Rainy Day Fund administered by MaineHousing to develop 530 new homes and apartments for middle- class families The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved $105 million in funding to support recovery for past disasters in five Region 1 states for public assis- tance projects, including $1.4 mil- lion to the town of Wells to repair dunes on Wells Beach, protecting roads and property after they were damaged by the severe storm that struck in January 2024. Central Maine Power announced it installed smart devices to speed up restoration times during out- ages and replaced aging infrastruc- ture with modern equipment at its Great Falls Substation in Auburn, strengthening reliability and safety for customers. Saddleback, a ski resort in Rangeley, said it drew a record- breaking number of skiers and snowboarders over the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, with skier visitation increasing 20% over the same period last year. In addition, on Jan. 18, the resort attracted 10% more skiers than on the same day B U S I N E S S M A I N E Business news from around the state The distinctive 'snap' behind one of Maine's most iconic hot dogs B y S l o a n e M . P e r r o n F or more than 150 years, W.A. Bean & Sons has been part of the fabric of Maine life, becoming especially well known for its hot dogs. Based in Bangor, at 229 Bomarc Road, the family-owned butcher operates out of a 30,000-square-foot facility, where tradition and local sourcing remain at the heart of everything it produces. The company traces its roots to 1860, when Albert Bean opened a small butcher shop in Bangor after moving from East Corinth. What began as a modest one-man operation quickly grew as demand increased, eventually evolving into a wholesale meat supplier. Over generations, the Bean fam- ily expanded the business while staying true to the values that shaped its early success. In 1918, the company began producing hot dogs, a move that would forever tie the Bean name to one of Maine's most iconic foods. Today, hot dogs remain central to production. Each year, the company produces around 500,000 pounds of hot dogs. Its Red Snappers are particularly famous for their natural casings, distinctive snap and signature flavor. In fact, the company is now the only surviving hot dog producer in Maine. While hot dogs are the most recognizable product, they represent just one part of the company's broader offerings. Using original reci- pes that are more than a cen- tury old, the company smokes and sugar cures all its hams and poultry while also produc- ing a wide selection of sau- sages and deli meats. The Bangor facility employs 25 people year-round, with addi- tional staff being brought on dur- ing peak seasons. Employees pay close attention to quality and consistency. Local sourcing plays an important role in Bean's opera- tions whenever possible. By working with regional suppliers, the company supports Maine's agricultural economy while helping ensure freshness. For generations, customers have grown up with Bean's meats as a staple at cookouts, family gatherings and holi- day meals. Through mail order, wholesale distribution and local pickup, the company continues to make its products accessible to loyal customers in Maine and beyond. SP ONSORED BY A blend of natural and artificial dyes is used to make W.A. Bean & Sons' red hot dogs, known as Red Snappers, at the Bangor facility. Red hot dogs, known as Red Snappers, travel down the linker as each one is hand-twisted before being dyed red. Sean Smith is director of sales at W.A. Bean & Sons, P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY N O T E W O R T H Y C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N S O U T H E R N N O T E W O R T H Y S T A T E W I D E S T A T E W I D E

• Cover