Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5 Maine House of Representatives and Senate voted to override Gov. Paul LePage's veto of L.D. 1379, which cre- ates new insurance and safety require- ments for ridesharing services such as Uber, which currently operates in Portland, Bar Harbor, Kennebunk, Ogunquit and Old Orchard Beach. Maine gets $1.1M to link workforce, education data e Maine Department of Labor is receiving $1.1 million in federal funds to expand databases that will help researchers determine the effectiveness of workforce and education programs. e U.S. Department of Labor said Maine is among nine states receiving a total of $10 million in grants as part of its Workforce Data Quality Initiative, which is a sister initiative of the U.S. Department of Education's Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems Grant Program. e Labor Department said Maine and other recipients must use the databases to study and analyze the effectiveness of workforce and educa- tion programs. e recipients are also expected to develop tools that will inform the public about the benefits of a publicly funded workforce system. New law could boost solar generation Maine lawmakers have passed a bill into law that could lead to a new way to reimburse businesses and homeowners who generate their own electricity with solar and other power sources. e Bangor Daily News reported that the Maine Senate and House of Representatives voted on June 30 to override Gov. Paul LePage's veto of L.D. 1263. e measure directs the Maine Public Utilities Commission to study and create a new method for reimburs- ing small-scale generators. Tim Schneider, Maine's public advocate, said the current method, called "net- metering," can drive up energy costs for customers who aren't generating their own power, which is why he's pushing for a new solution. N O T E W O R T H Y S T A T E W I D E USDA Rural Development announced that 13 Maine businesses received grants totaling a total of $119,700 under its Rural Energy for America Program. Recipients included Bar Harbor Community Farm LLC, Bar Harbor; Buck Farms, Mapleton; County Energy Solutions LLC, Fort Fairfield; F.W. Thurston Co. Inc., Bernard; Frederic Flewelling, Crouseville; JG SL Partners LLC, Freeport; North Country Rivers Inc., Bingham; Paris Auto Barn LLC, South Paris; Solonely Acres LLC, Solon; Thompson Cottages Inc., New Harbor; TMDE Calibration Labs Inc., Richmond; Keena Tracy, Lisbon Falls; and Wilbur's of Maine Chocolate Confections, Freeport. Bates College in Lewiston, in part- nership with the Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership in Rockland, received a National Science Foundation grant totaling $24,952 to help coordinate research and training being done at a network of field sta- tions in the Gulf of Maine. Petition submitted to fight Portland development e developers behind the Portland Co. redevelopment project on the city's waterfront said they're committed to defeating a referen- dum that would bring it to a halt. e "Save the Soul of Portland" group on July 6 submitted more than 2,500 signatures to the city for a referendum question that, if approved by voters, would place protections on public views of Portland's harbor and working waterfront. One of the targeted areas would impact plans for the Portland Co. project at 58 Fore St. Jim Brady, one of the partners at CPB2, told the Portland Press Herald in a statement that the "referendum will not only kill the 58 Fore St. project." He said he and his partners are "building a strong, broad-based coalition committed to defeating the referendum." Baker Newman Noyes merges with Boston firm Baker Newman Noyes is continu- ing its expansion into Massachusetts after completing its merger with the external audit and tax practices of Boston-based Shatswell, MacLeod & Co. e Portland accounting and consulting firm said the merger was completed on June 29, bringing the firm's total employee count to approximately 250. S O U T H E R N Lewiston native and husband purchase Cook's Lobster House in Harpswell — Turning over a new leaf Nova Star sees boost in June ridership — Trending in the right direction L.L.Bean to open first New York outlet — A foothold in the Adirondacks Lawmakers OK new rules for Uber, similar services — Maine is open for Uber Lyman-Morse buys Camden boatbuilder — A rising tide for Camden's harbor Petition submitted to fight Portland development — High stakes for Portland Co. project G.M. Pollack & Sons to close last store — Sometimes diamonds aren't forever Large elder-care provider to end services — Safety net loses another strand Gilmore's Seafood closes in Bath — Gone fishin'? Burt's Bees co-founder Burt Shavitz dies — Free spirit will be missed Providing solutions for diverse hiring needs for Maine companies 207-854-2422 directpersonnel.net 1-800-639-8802 mainestaff.com • Finance/ accounting professionals • Skilled laborers • Flaggers • Administrative experts • Health Care professionals • Engineers Call us today! A corporate division of Maine Staffing Group Not only do you get the convenience of valet parking at the airport for $10 a day, but we'll take care of your car needs, too. www.parknjetportland.com 747-5650 Drive 100 yards past baggage claim. Look for our green sign. Open 4:30AM - 1AM or later. per day $10 park perks OiL chANge • cAr wAsh • DetAiLiNg with

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