Mainebiz

V O L . X X I N O. X X V I I N OV E M B E R 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 12 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 Low price for cranberries keeps some Maine farmers from harvesting crop ree days before anksgiving, the e Bangor Daily News reported that the price for wet harvested berries was at times less than half the price needed for farmers to break even. Charles Armstrong, a cranberry spe- cialist with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, told the BDN that the break-even point for wet harvesting requires farmers to receive about 35 to 40 cents per pound for cranberries, but the price was around 12 and 20 cents a pound this year. Wet harvesting involves fl ooding a cran- berry bog and collecting ripe berries that fl oat to the surface. Armstrong estimated that cranberry farms in Maine produced about 2 million pounds this year, worth an estimated $808,000. About fi ve of the roughly 30 cranberry growers in Maine didn't harvest a total of about 25 acres, an eighth of the state's 200 acres devoted to cranberry farming. About half of the state's cranberry acreage is owned by Cherryfi eld Foods Inc., a division of Nova Scotia-based Oxford Frozen Foods Ltd. Cherryfi eld Foods, which owns about 100 acres of cranberries bogs in Maine, mostly in Washington County, harvested all of its acres this year. A spokesman for Cherryfi eld Foods told the BDN that even though the company doesn't sell its cranberries to wholesalers, it was still aff ected by the low prices. Maine's cranberry production represents about half of 1% of cranberry production nationwide. In 2013, Maine ranked sixth in the nation in production behind Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington. $10M earmarked for rural health care facilities ree Maine health care and com- munity organizations are receiving nearly $10 million in federal loans for the expansion or construction of new facilities. e loans, announced Nov. 17 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are for Independence Advocates of Maine in Orono, Down East Community Hospital in Machias and Downeast Horizons in Ellsworth. Independence Advocates will use its $5 million loan as part of a renovation of 9,800-square-foot intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual "We are extremely grateful to FAME for providing much-needed capital assistance at a critical point in our company's evolution. We were able to maintain sustainability and profitability and significantly increase production. Without the capital support from FAME, Maine Standard Biofuels would have struggled to move beyond the start- up phase of our growth. With FAME's support, Maine Standard Biofuels is positioned to be an industry leader and poised for continued growth." — Jarmin Kaltsas Founder, Maine Standard Biofuels Founder, Maine Standard Biofuels 1-800-228-3734 — FA MEmaine.com Helping Maine Businesses Succeed Since 1983 WE'RE HERE TO HELP KEEP YOU OUT IN FRONT No matter the size of your business, we can help. Canon Solutions America has a solution for everyone. Canon Solutions America understands the need for knowledgeable service and solutions. We value our customers in the Maine area and are happy to provide support. Let our team help the efficiency and operations of your growing business. CALL US TODAY, AT 1-844-50-CANON TO GET A FREE BUSINESS ASSESSMENT. M I D C O A S T & D O W N E A S T

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