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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 5 A U G U S T 2 4 , 2 0 2 6 Copyright 2026. All rights reserved. Mainebiz® (ISSN# 1530-0749) is published bi-weekly 29 times a year, including special issues published in July, September, October and December by New England Business Media LLC. Periodicals postage paid (USPS# 018-715) at Port land, ME and at additional entry points. Postmaster: Please send changes to: Mainebiz, 446 Main Street, Suite 201, Worcester, MA 01608. Annual subscriptions are available for $100.00 and include Fact Book and Book of Lists. To subscribe, please visit our website at www.mainebiz.biz, email circulation@ mainebiz.biz or call our circulation department at (508) 755-8004 x242. Mainebiz® accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and in general does not return them to the sender. 3 Viewpoints Editor's letter plus Top 10 11 Building Business Saco's Thornton Academy completes $14.5M athletics facilities 24 On the Record Bank of America aims for bigger Maine market share, closer community ties 25 In Short Newsworthy people and performances 26 The List Maine's largest business and industrial parks B U S I N E S S M A I N E I N E V E RY I S S U E 6 Made in Maine Maine's maple industry a 'masterclass' in adaptation 8 Ask ACE Are in-person sales calls a thing of the past? A roundup of Maine's business news 6 P H O T O / J I M N E U G E R 24 Visit DreamFirstCommunity.com TheFirst.com/1-800-564-3195 A lifetime of firsts led you here. First idea, first sale, first stumble. But where others see setbacks, we see steps forward. We see hard work, resilience, persistence. Dreamers, doers, and difference makers. It's why we don't just partner in the success, we partner in the work. Here for Every First. Some banks invest in plans. We invest in people. Peter & Kim Erskine, Founder & Co-Owner of Mexicali Blues Congratulations to these talented attorneys named a Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year," a recognition given to individual attorneys who received the highest overall peer feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region. Pierce Atwood stands out among Maine firms for its broad reach across industries and practices. We're proud that our clients continue to value our integrity, professionalism, and experience. Please visit our website to view all our Best Lawyers honorees, and to learn how we can assist your organization. Pierce Atwood. There's a reason… Merrill's Wharf · 254 Commercial Street · Portland, ME 04101 · 207.791.1100 · PIERCEATWOOD.COM IN MAINE " LAWYERS OF THE YEAR" 2027 Meet Pierce Atwood's Best Lawyers ® 2027 "Lawyers of the Year" in Maine Molly Liddell Trusts & Estates Sarah Tracy Energy Law Lucus Ritchie Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions-Defendants Ann Robinson Government Relations Practice Jim Saffian Banking and Finance Law Katy Rand Labor & Employment Litigation Barbara Wheaton Trusts & Estates Litigation