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V I E W P O I N T S W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 3 J U LY 2 7 , 2 0 2 6 We're attorneys. But we're people first. Meet Beth. A real estate attorney with an eye for the big picture and the details, Beth helps her clients find cost-effective, practical solutions to commercial real estate challenges, including development, leasing, and financing. bernsteinshur.com Beth A. Smith Shareholder From the Editor E ven as we see projects slowed or stalled, the pace of development continues in Maine. One place where there's been significant devel- opment in the past several years is the Downs in Scarborough. e redevelopment of the former Scarborough Downs racetrack presented an opportunity: e sur- rounding town of Scarborough had already seen signif- icant development (it's now the fastest growing town in Maine), but the Downs accelerated the growth. ere are already 700 new housing units (out of a projected 2,000), in addition to businesses rang- ing from Costco to Allagash Brewing to IDEXX Laboratories, which has a research center in the Innovation District. Companies in the Downs have created 1,500 permanent jobs. To talk about the growth, Staff Writer Tina Fischer caught up with Roccy Risbara, whose firm led devel- opment of the Downs. It's a wide ranging interview and the first time Mainebiz readers have had a chance to hear Risbara's views on the Downs and its economic impact. Risbara also addresses criticism of the Downs. Elsewhere in the issue, Senior Writer Laurie Schreiber looks at a range of manufacturing sites that have grown or been built in recent years. As one busi- ness leader tells Laurie, "We're looking to the future." "Contractors are under more pressure than ever to deliver projects faster and with less disruption," says one CEO. And housing is still going up Maine's goal of building 84,000 housing units by 2030 might seem a stretch, but the good news is Maine is outpacing much of New England when it comes to housing growth. Measuring against New England states through the first five months of 2026, only Massachusetts recorded more building permits than Maine. After the Bay State (4,487) were Maine (2,723), Connecticut (2,083), New Hampshire (1,846), Rhode Island (917) and Vermont (610). Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz Among New England states through the first five months of 2026, only Massachusetts recorded more building permits than Maine. Featured @ Mainebiz.biz For a daily digest of Maine's top business news, sign up for the Mainebiz Daily Report at mainebiz.biz/enews 1. Windham project will offer 172 units for middle-income households 2. Hannaford wraps up Gray store revamp with more space, offerings 3. Two established Portland businesses expanding with downtown moves 4. With abundant meeting space, Portland church listed for $2.45M 5. Aroostook County forest products manufacturer to expand with new construction 6. Hotdog enthusiast strikes nostalgic note with Lisbon food truck 7. On an unbridged Maine island, a coffee cart is a big deal 8. Citing 'significant' challenges, Biddeford brewer to close in August 9. Prefab panels speed construction of Portland's largest affordable housing project 10. Portland gets $2M to test safety upgrades on 'high-crash' corridor P ROV I D E D P H O T O 1 Mainebiz offers the latest business news in the Daily Report and the Real Estate Insider newsletters. Here is the top content from July 6–17. Slowed but not stopped: development surges on

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