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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 M A R C H 2 3 , 2 0 2 6 agreement that will ensure Anthem mem- bers will continue to have in-network ac- cess to Covenant Health hospitals (St. Mary's and St Joseph Hospital), physi- cian practices and affiliated clinical ser- vices across Maine. Cumberland County home prices continue to surge February sale prices for homes contin- ued to increase in Cumberland County despite a drop in sales volume com- pared to a year ago. According to Maine Listings, the median sales price increased by 4.46% in February, rising from $526,500 to $555,000 versus a year ago. Cumberland County, which includes the Portland area, is consistently Maine's most expensive home market. At the same time, the median sales price rose, the number of units sold decreased by 11.95% in February. Portland to raise cruise ship fees As of Jan. 1, 2027, the new rates, rules and regulations will apply to Portland Ocean Terminal at the Maine State Pier and Ocean Gateway Terminal. Rates for vessels berthed at either of those city-owned locations will increase every year until 2030, rising from the current $18 per passenger to $24 per passenger in 2030. e city is also increasing the existing $3 per passenger infrastructure fee annually, which will rise to $7 by 2030, to cover the cost of improvements to the waterfront facilities. Freeport Village corridor plan gets tax financing approval Freeport's vision to stimulate economic development in its downtown has won support from the state by an extension of the town's Tax Increment Financing program for another 20 years. e TIF allows a portion of funding generated from taxes on applicable properties along the U.S. Route 1 corridor to be invested in infrastructure, housing, transportation and public spaces. e recent exten- sion maintains Freeport's TIF district through 2046 and is projected to create close to $17.5 million in total revenue to support development that aligns with the town's newly adopted comprehensive plan and "Downtown Vision Plan." N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N Hannaford Supermarkets partnered with the Portland Hearts of Pine ahead of its second professional soccer season on branded craft beers and hard seltzers, cre- ated in collaboration with Maine craft bev- erage producers Allagash Brewing Co., Bissell Brothers and Après. The collection will be sold in more than 50 Hannaford locations across Maine. The Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce announced that Rousseau Insurance Agency in Biddeford purchased the home, auto and business insurance book of busi- ness from Maine Insurance Benefits Group in Windham, following the retirement of agency principal Rand Clark. JAX receives $1M gift for research scholarship With a $1 million donation from the Worthington Scholarship Foundation, Jackson Laboratory is launching a bio- medical research scholarship for eli- gible students and educators. e Worthington-JAX Biomedical Fellows Scholarship aims to offer innovative, experiential biomedical research training opportunities for current Worthington Scholars and alumni. Ellsworth landmark wins second federal grant e Ellsworth Historical Society has secured a second federal grant to rehabil- itate the Old Hancock County Sheriff 's Home and Jail, a 19th-century building in Ellsworth's historic district that's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. e $185,770 REvitalizeME grant will fund exterior carpentry work as part of a multi-phase effort to preserve the down- town landmark, located at 40 State St. Aroma Joe's opens location in Rockland Scarborough-based coffee shop chain Aroma Joe's has expanded its reach to Maine's Midcoast with the opening of a location in the city of Rockland. Based at 182 Camden St., about two miles from downtown and about a mile from a Dunkin' at 632 Main St., the Rockland Aroma Joe's will be staffed by 16 employees. e new location is led by Gregory Shpunder and Tammy Birkbeck, who also own an Aroma Joe's shop at 268 Depot St. in Unity. 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 Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry in Ellsworth S O U T H E R N M I D C O A S T & D O W N E A S T See More Keynote Speaker Amanda Rector, State of Maine Economist Shaping Maine's Economic Future Workshops Growth Through Acquisition: Buying or Selling a Small Business From Chaos to Clarity: Time Management Strategies That Scale with You Trade Show & Networking Reception Top Gun Showcase Pitch Competition Must see programming! MAY 12 Make a commitment to Maine's creative economy and the arts.

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