Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 J U LY 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 U.S. Department of Education awarded $1,663,407 in school improvement grant funding to the state of Maine to allow the state to award competi- tive subgrants to school districts that demonstrate the greatest need for funds and the strongest commitment to raising student achievement in low- performing schools. Maine Bankers Association elected Jon J. Prescott of Katahdin Trust Co. as association chairman for the upcoming year. He joined Katahdin Trust in 1989 and in 1997 was named president and CEO. He also serves as a director of the bank and its holding company, Katahdin Bankshares Corp. The People's United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People's United Bank in Portland, an- nounced today that it has awarded a total of $29,000 to six Maine organi- zations. Recipients included Kennebec Valley Community Action Program in Waterville, Hardy Girls Healthy Women in Waterville, Coastal Enterprises Inc. in Brunswick, My Place Teen Center in Westbrook, Genesis Community Loan Fund in Brunswick and Camp CaPella in Holden. Cruise industry expects record visitors this year Cruise Industry News reports that Portland expects more than 100,000 passengers for the first time this year. Portland is attracting cruise ships with an innovative cost structure. "All our fees are covered by the head tax [of $10] for all ships with 1,000 or more passengers. We don't charge for security or berthing, all of that is included. e ship itself is not paying anything," said Bob Leeman, marketing manager for Cruise Portland, told the trade journal. ere are addi- tional incentives for ships calling earlier in the season, he said. is year, Portland expects 105,000 passengers from 77 ves- sells, including the largest ship Portland has ever seen: Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas, which has a maxi- mum occupancy of 4,905 passengers. L.L.Bean buys vacant Freeport restaurant L.L.Bean has acquired the former home of Stirling & Mull, a Freeport pub-restaurant that closed after one season. e property, located at 175 Lower Main St., is adjacent to the L.L.Bean corporate headquarters and is about a mile from the flagship retail store. "We do not plan to do anything specific with it at this time, but since it abuts our property, it was a sound opportunity that just made good sense," L.L.Bean spokesman Mac McKeever told e Current. Last Bugaboo Creek in Maine closes A week after closing a Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse in Bangor, a South Portland Bugaboo Steakhouse closed in June, leaving 60 employees with- out work, e Forecaster reports. A rapid response team from the Maine Department of Labor mobilized to S O U T H E R N L.L.Bean adds another $1M to Acadia shuttle program — Keeps the Island Explorer from idling at Acadia Venture-backed biotech companies race to public markets — What's in your portfolio? Maine's first organic distillery calls Newcastle home — Finding a niche in the spirits industry Bangor music studio trades downtown for Brewer waterfront — Way down upon the Penobscot River Roll up for the not-so-mysterious Portland contamination tour — Real estate crunch is making brownfields look attractive Foundation for Blood Research closing its doors — CEO likens it to be being the local hardware store when Walmart comes to town Federal team established to aid struggling forest product industry — Bad sign when a major industry is compared to an oil spill or tornado disaster New England fisheries feel the effect of warming waters — One fisherman caught two cod in 12 hours 'Gold rush mentality' raises concerns about seaweed sustainability — Maine overtakes California, but at what cost? Living to 150? Two scientists make a $300 bet — We'll pass Commercial site preparation Heavy highway and utility work Pavement production, installation and sales CROOKER' S YELLOW TRUCK S ARE READY TO ROLL! Serving contractors, municipalities, and private enterprises statewide 207-729-3331 www.Crooker.com

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