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V O L . X X X I I N O. X X V N OV E M B E R 2 , 2 0 2 6 14 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 Strengthening Institutions Grant, "Building the College of the Future: Integrating Artificial Intelligence Across the Curriculum," to build appropriate artificial intelligence proficiency into all academic programs. Central Maine Growth Council in Waterville said it was selected by the U.S. Small Business Administration as Maine's sole recipient of a Federal and State Technology Partnership Program award totaling $180,000. The funding ensures continued support for Maine entrepreneurs, startups and technology- focused small businesses seeking to se- cure federal research and development funding through the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. The Maine Development Foundation in Augusta launched the Thriving Community Model, a pilot program to serve rural Maine communities that have experienced the closure of a mill or other biomass/forest products facil- ity, and/or supply chain disruptions that impact jobs, small businesses, commu- nity revenue and services, and morale. The Northern Aroostook Rail Gateway Modernization and Safety Project funding will support the rehabilitation of 90 miles of railroad tracks in Fort Kent, Madawaska and Van Buren. The Maine Department of Transportation is the recipient of the federal mon- ey. More than $37 million in fed- eral funding has been awarded to the rail system in Aroostook County. The funding comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration's Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program and was an- nounced by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine. MaineDelivery, a provider of final mile and home delivery services based in Bangor, said it expanded its longstand- ing partnership with Wayfair, resulting in the opening of a new terminal in Auburn and an expanded service area reaching beyond Maine for the first time. Upstairs at Benjamin's Restaurant and Pub opened at 123 Franklin St. in Bangor. • • • •••• •••• - € ‚ƒƒ„ - LEARN MORE about what we can do for you. dwmlaw.com | 800.727.1941 An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) can help business owners plan for succession while giving employees a stake in the future. Drummond Woodsum's business and tax attorneys help you evaluate your options and navigate the legal, transactional, and tax considerations of employee ownership. Explore what an ESOP could mean for your business. Explore what an ESOP could mean for your business. Plan your succession. Invest in their future. Legal guidance for employee ownership . 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 N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N

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