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V O L . X X X I I N O. I V F E B R UA R Y 2 3 , 2 0 2 6 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 firm's Back River Gin brand will continue to be produced, but under contract with Mossy Ledge Distillery in Etna. N O T E W O R T H Y M I D C O A S T & D O W N E A S T PowerWise Solutions, a Bucksport provider of meteorological station products, services and data infra- structure supporting utility-scale energy projects, announced the opening of a new operational loca- tion in Houston. Allen Insurance and Financial in Camden acquired the William E. Clark Insurance Agency in Skowhegan. 'Boot Camp' to help businesses scale up A new business accelerator pro- gram based in Bangor aims to help businesses across the state scale up their operations and compete for a spot on the "Greenlight Maine" TV series. Dubbed "Boot Camp," the program is a collaboration between "Greenlight Maine" and UpStart Maine, a Bangor-based coalition of entrepreneur-support organi- zations. Boot Camp is designed specifically for Maine entrepre- neurs who aspire to audition for "Greenlight Maine" with long-term business growth in mind. A UMaine startup will relocate to larger facility ReForm Composites Inc., a startup spun out from the University of Maine's Advanced Structures and Composites Center, is preparing to move to a larger location with plans for four production lines. e startup was recently selected as one of 20 global finalists in the Paris-based JEC World Startup Booster, an inter- national competition recognizing emerging innovation in the compos- ites industry. N O T E W O R T H Y N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N Maine Endurance Sports Alliance, a nonprofit in Hermon, was formed to manage marathons in central Maine for Lifestyle Sports Global LLC. The University of Maine at Farmington said that since launching its hands-on Research Learning Experiences in the 2022-23 academic year, participation has tripled from 131 students enrolled in 12 courses to 465 students in 25 courses in 2025-26. 211 Maine, a free, confidential infor- mation and referral service based in Augusta that connects people of all ages across Maine to local services, is recognizing the program's 20th an- niversary by launching the $20k for 20 Years campaign. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Maine Conservation Corps announced two new pre-apprenticeship partnerships with the Association of General Contractors Maine and the Maine Rural Water Association to link hands-on conservation service directly to registered apprentice- ships in construction and water utilities. Central Maine Power in Augusta, a subsidiary of Avangrid, said that its employees volunteered 6,800 hours across the state in 2025. Months after fire, Union- based winery closes for good Months after a fire destroyed its production facility and tast- ing room, Sweetgrass Winery & Distillery in Union has made the decision to permanently close. e 20-year-old business was known for fruit wines and spirits. Owner Keith Bodine indicated that the B I Z M O N E Y M I D C O A S T & D O W N E A S T N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N Deal for Lewiston's Central Maine Healthcare now complete B y R e n e e C o r d e s A little more than a year after Prime Healthcare Foundation agreed to buy Central Maine Healthcare, the California- based nonprofit has completed the transaction. The deal, which received the conditional green light from Maine regulators this past December, extends the nonprofit's footprint to 21 hospitals across eight states and marks its first foray into Maine. The buyer originally put a two-year timeline on completing the deal, whose financial terms were not disclosed. All Central Maine Healthcare hospitals and facilities will retain their current names and local leadership. The new owner has also pledged to honor existing provider and phy- sician contracts to ensure continuity of care. Included in the transaction are Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Bridgton Hospital, Rumford Hospital, Rumford Community Home, Bolster Heights, the Maine College of Health Professions, Central Maine Health Care's Cancer Care Center and more than 40 physician practices. "Prime Healthcare Foundation was selected to stew- ard these hospitals into the future after a comprehensive evaluation of mission alignment, value and demonstrated success investing in hospitals that serve vulnerable com- munities," said Devore Culver, board chairman at Central Maine Healthcare. "Following regulatory review and careful diligence, we are confident this partnership secures a stable, vibrant future for health care in central Maine," he added. Investment plans Prime Healthcare Foundation said it will invest $150 mil- lion over the next five years to strengthen Central Maine Healthcare's facilities, services and infrastructure in Maine and will continue and expand services based on community needs. It also pledged to "retain substantially" all of Central Maine Healthcare's employees. "Prime Healthcare Foundation believes that access to high-quality health care and medical education uplifts com- munities, brings hope, and improves lives," said Dr. Kavitha Bhatia, the group's president and chair. "We are honored to extend our mission to the communi- ties of Maine and are committed to preserving Central Maine Healthcare's legacy, expanding educational opportunities and ensuring compassionate, equitable care for generations to come," she added. F I L E P H O T O Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston has become part of Prime Healthcare Foundation, a California-based nonprofit that owns 21 hospitals in eight states. We are honored to extend our mission to the communities of Maine and are committed to preserving Central Maine Healthcare's legacy, expanding educational opportunities and ensuring compassionate, equitable care for generations to come. — Dr. Kavitha Bhatia Prime Healthcare Foundation

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