Mainebiz

V O L . X X I I N O. V M A R C H 7 , 2 0 1 6 6 in a release. "at is a very high bar, but the industry and department are working very hard to create more maple products and grow the indus- try." Vermont is the nation's leading syrup producer, accounting for 40% of the supply. According to University of Maine economist Todd Gabe, includ- ing multiplier effects, 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. Off-season needs to 'shoulder' more of tourism load More than half of Maine's total lodging sales have consistently come in June, July and August, while the "shoulder season" months of May, September and October have con- sistently generated only 25-28% of Maine's annual lodging sales. "e High Seasonality of Tourism in Maine," a report released Feb. 23 by the Maine Development Foundation and University of Maine's School of Economics, said bolstering the shoul- der seasons could increase tourism without overtaxing the already-con- gested summer months. Maine has a few regions — notably those with large ski resorts — that have a sizable share of their overnight visitors dur- ing the winter, but most of the largest tourism destinations experience their peak seasons during the summer. Business travel helps Bangor and Portland spread lodging stays through the off-season months. Grand Theft Lobster: Jeffreys Ledge A private, nonprofit organization is offering an $11,000 reward for any information about a large-scale lobster theft case in the Gulf of Maine. An investigation by the Maine Marine Patrol that found 200 lobster traps were hauled by someone other than their respective license hold- ers. According to the Associated Press, Maine Marine Patrol Col. Jon Cornish said the theft, which was near Jefferys Ledge off the coast of New Hampshire, is considered a civil viola- tion and the responsible parties face the possibility of restitution or a fine. "is is an extremely serious viola- tion involving multiple victims and we would appreciate any help from the public," said Cornish. "e money for this reward comes both from the Operation Game ief program and from lobstermen committed to bring- ing this person or people to justice. N O T E W O R T H Y S T A T E W I D E USDA Rural Development awarded $66,190 to seven Maine farms and agricultural businesses for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects through the Rural Energy for America Program. Recipients included Irving Farms Inc. in Caribou, G&S Farms Inc. in Fort Kent, Bountiful Berry Inc. d/b/a Grandy Oats in Hiram, Kremer Glass LLC in North Yarmouth, MDI Clean Energy Partners L3C in Bar Harbor, Mount Pleasant Dental Care PA in Rockport and Belcon Inc. in Belfast. USDA Rural Development announced three water systems in Maine were se- lected to receive a total of $10.6 mil- lion for upgrades. The town of Oxford received $4.6 million, the town of Wilton received $4.1 million and the city of Brewer received $1.9 million. Scarborough developer plans 54-unit apartment complex A Scarborough-based real estate developer outlined a plan to add a 54-unit apartment complex to the Eastern Village subdivision in Oak Hill. Developer Kerry Anderson hopes to break ground this spring or early summer on the complex, which would consist of eight buildings, the majority of which would have eight housing units, Scarborough town planner Dan Bacon told e Forecaster. e 154-lot Eastern Village subdivision was approved in early 2005 and is currently home to primar- ily single-family homes in addition to several three-story townhouses. e addition of rental units will be the third phase of Anderson's nine phase plan for Eastern Village. e planned apartment complex would consist of 49 one-bedroom units and five two- bedroom units rented at market rates, according to Bacon. Biddeford FedEx facility sold to Boston real estate company A Boston-based real estate investment trust has purchased the former Hostess Bakery location in Biddeford for $12.4 million that is now home to a FedEx Ground Services distribution center. In 2014, Biddeford Holdings LLC purchased the 265,000-square-foot B U S I N E S S M A I N E Business news from around the state S T A T E W I D E S O U T H E R N USM, Maine Brewers' Guild partner on craft brewing With Maine's craft brewing industry frothing, the University of Southern Maine and the Maine Brewers' Guild partnered on a Quality Assurance Lab to provide students research opportu- nities and area brewers a local facility to test the quality of their brews, the two parties said Feb. 25. "Maine's craft beer industr y employed 1,500 people and gener- ated an estimated $432 million in sales in 2014," Sean Sullivan, execu- tive director of the Maine Brewers' Guild, said in a statement at the opening of the lab. "The economic impact of Maine's craft beer industry ranks seventh in the nation per capita, yet our brew- ers are dependent on West Coast QA facilities. This is about supporting a grow- ing industry and ensuring local brewers can craft the highest quality products." The lab is funded by a three-year, $488,514 seed grant from the USM Maine Economic Improvement Fund to build the infrastructure for a Quality Assurance/ Quality Control and Research Laboratory for the Maine and craft brewing industry. USM Professor of Chemistry Lucille Benedict will oversee management of the lab, which will be run by students. The aim for the lab is to help brewers to deliver a consistent, quality and safe product to their consumers. The lab also is part of the STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — curriculum for the college. USM President Glenn Cummings said: "It's another great example of the type of work our metropolitan university undertakes to benefit our economy while at the same time providing our students with skills and experience that will enhance their career opportunities." U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree said Maine already is on the map for craft brewing, "but this lab and partnership will go a long way toward making Maine beer the gold standard for the entire country." Brewers and attendees of the inaugural New England Brew Summit at USM on April 1 will be able to see the lab and learn more about the certifications and capability. The New England Brew Summit is being organized by the Maine Brewers' Guild as a business-to-business conference covering both the techni- cal aspects of brewing and running a brewery. Maine is home to over 60 breweries producing more than 200 varieties. More recently, craft brewers have been trying to become centers of their local communities with tastings, game-playing and relaxing lounges, thus reviving the neighborhood brewery concept that was pervasive before Prohibition. — L o r i V a l i g r a P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY Five-ounce pours of 4 Maine Beer Company beers in Freeport. Could Maine rival Vermont on maple syrup? As northern New England prepared for sugaring season, Gov. Paul LePage said he thinks Maine can become No. 1 in maple syrup production. Officials from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the Maine Maple Producers Association report that tapping is underway throughout the state, with Maine's southern and central regions already well into the season. Lyle Merrifield, president of the Maple Producers Association said the milder winter meant the season started early. Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Walt Whitcomb said LePage has made it clear that he wants to expand and strengthen Maine's maple economy. "Gov. LePage has expressed his desire to see Maine become No. 1 for maple production," said Whitcomb

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