Mainebiz

V O L . X X X I I N O. X V I I I A U G U S T 2 4 , 2 0 2 6 G R E AT E R B A N G O R / N O R T H E R N M A I N E F O C U S A s Maine's third-largest city and a hub for the state's northern and eastern regions, Bangor has a number of interesting developments underway. ey include the expansion of the Bangor Region YMCA, plans to build a food service startup incuba- tor and the expansion of out-of-state firms that are attracted to the Queen City's charms. Each project is distinct from the other. But they share a common thread: "Businesses and developers are seeing Bangor as a great option for development," says Anne Krieg, the city's director of community and economic development. With a daytime population of around 120,000, Bangor functions as a hub with good city services, a rapidly expand- ing airport that has a Foreign Trade Zone, multiple exits on I-95, a working downtown, historic neighborhoods and events, arts and culture options. Travel + Leisure this year wrote glowingly of the "charming small city." e American Lung Association ranks it among the nation's cleanest cities. And it's only an hour drive to the coast and mountains "What's not to love?" says Krieg. "If people want to visit here, they will want to live here and if they want to live here, they will want to have their business here. It all connects." Community center e Bangor Region YMCA is build- ing an 82,000-square-foot com- munity center to replace an obsolete 45,000-square-foot facility. e project will allow the organization to signifi- cantly expand programming. e current facility is at 17 Second St. in a collection of buildings dating from the 1830s, 1920s and 1970s. e new $57.8 million facility is several blocks away at 315 Main St., across from Bangor's land- mark Waterfront Concerts venue. "is new facility, which will double the size of the current space, will better serve the Bangor region and offer new 18 The excitement and need for this new Y is made clearly evident by the incredible community support we have received from individuals, business, organizations and foundations. — Diane Dickerson Bangor Region YMCA R E N D E R I N G / C O U R T E S Y O F S M R T A R C H I T E C T S & E N G I N E E R S Diane Dickerson, the Bangor Y's CEO, says the new facility will better serve the Bangor region and offer new and expanded services to the community. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F T H E B A N G O R R E G I O N Y M C A The new Bangor Region YMCA is on track to open late fall 2027. BANGOR BUILDS Businesses, developers see city as great option for development B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r

• Cover