Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 F E B R UA R Y 8 , 2 0 1 6 Record-setting year for Maine Turnpike e Maine Turnpike set an all-time record for drivers using the tollbooth system across its 109-mile network. e authority told e Portland Press Herald that the breaking of the previous record set in 2007 is an indicator the state's economy is returning to pre- recession levels. Over 79.5 million drivers paid tolls last year, totaling $128.2 mil- lion in revenue, easily topping the 2007 record of 76 million commuters. "Traffi c is back," said Peter Mills, the authority's executive director. "To the extent that we are a harbinger of success for the Maine economy, hang onto your hats." Warmer winter means early sap run Warm winter weather means the sap is running early, prompting maple syrup producers to worry that the season could be short, MPBN reported. e sea- son typically starts in March and runs four to six weeks. Carrabassett Valley producer Pat Mitchell told MPBN that the early run, although shorter, produces the best "fancy" syrup. According to University of Maine economist Todd Gabe, Maine's maple syrup industry annually contributes $49 million in revenue, 805 full- and part-time jobs and $25 million in wages to the state's economy. Maine is one of 10 states that produce maple syrup. e others are Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Wisconsin. N O T E W O R T H Y S T A T E W I D E Project Canopy, a partnership be- tween the Maine Forest Service and GrowSmart Maine, announced the recipients of the 2015 Project Canopy Assistance Grants totaling $134,916 in awards. Planning grants were awarded to the city of Auburn, city of Bangor, city of Bath, Bath Water District, town of Bethel, College of the Atlantic, Maine TREE Foundation, Merryspring Nature Center, town of Norway, town of Orono and the Penobscot Nation. Planting grants were awarded to city of Belfast, Brewer School Department, town of Camden, town of Easton, city of Hallowell, town of Scarborough, town of Topsham and town of Yarmouth. ImmuCell raises $5M for expansion A Portland-based animal health products manufacturer is off ering 1.1 million shares of common stock to fund the construction of a new facility to treat mastitis, the most common disease aff ecting dairy cows across the globe. If the public off ering is success- ful, ImmuCell Corp. would generate $5.3 million after fees, diluting the value of its 3.1 million outstanding shares by nearly one-third, according to e S T A T E W I D E S O U T H E R N Maine's unemployment rate at its lowest since 2001 — On the payroll sure beats being on the dole 2015 construction spending its highest in eight years — At least we're now out of the basement New Portland rail link to facilitate container shipments — Intermodal investment delivers the goods 2015 was a record-setter for Maine Turnpike — 'Hang onto your hats' CMP, Emera unveil ambitious transmission project for northern Maine — Power for the people down south Maine water producer files for bankruptcy — Now underwater … after loan dries up Warm weather produces early maple sap run — Savor it while we can Maine ranks low as retirement state — Great quality of life, unless you're retired Maine restaurateur goes to jail for underreporting sales tax — Bilking the public carries a cost Madison paper mill cutbacks has town looking for new funding — Trickle-down impact of a struggling mill

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