Mainebiz

V O L . X X I I N O. X X I V O C T O B E R 1 7 , 2 0 1 6 8 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 Development, which has offi ces in Maine and Massachusetts. Alternatively, the city would consider whether to buy the half-acre plot at 155 Sheridan St., for $1.5 million. "I've said from the beginning, we can't block that view," Portland Mayor Ethan Strimling told the Press Herald. " e developer has not yet heard that in a way that satisfi es us. Hopefully he will." In response to the proposed moratorium, the Bangor Daily News reported that Saulnier Development submitted a scaled-back version of the proposal. e revision eliminates part of the two top fl oors of the condominium, preventing some of the loss of the panoramic views that are currently enjoyed by visitors of the park, a move that real estate lawyer and project consultant Patrick Venne hopes will quell the fears of many. "A mora- torium is unnecessary at this juncture because existing procedures have proven not only adequate but exceptionally capable of addressing stated concerns to date," Venne wrote in a letter to the City Council, according to the BDN. USM eyes major changes at Portland campus New dormitories, a performing arts cen- ter and reconfi guring a major connector road that cuts through the campus were just some of the possible changes that University of Southern Maine President Glenn Cummings wants to see at the school's Portland campus. Cummings outlined his wish list at the Portland Community Chamber of Commerce's monthly "Eggs and Issues" forum on Oct. 4, according to e Forecaster. Cummings said the reconfi guration and addition of student housing on Bedford Street, which cuts through USM's Portland campus, would be a way to retain students and would provide housing for students who may not want to live on the Gorham campus, but can't aff ord the high rents of Portland. Cummings added that the Bedford Street location, where a parking lot now sits, is an ideal location for the dorms, as it's the fi rst thing visitors see when they enter the campus from Forest Avenue, e Forecaster reported. N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N The Maine Real Estate & Development Association moved to 6 City Center, 3rd fl oor, in Portland. The Portland Symphony Orchestra received a $600,000 grant from The Bingham Trust to support its Explorers Program through 2020. The grant will provide $500,000 per year in operat- ing funds supporting the 2017-18 through 2019-20 season as well as $150,000 a year for three years in restricted funds to be invested in the organization's endowment, with the yield going towards musician compen- sation for the Explorers program. Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority received $517,000 from the Economic Development Administration to support manufacturing expansion at Brunswick Landing. Market Decisions Research, a research fi rm in Portland, and Hart Consulting Inc., a program evaluation, research and management consulting fi rm in Gardiner, merged and will operate under the Market Decisions Research name. Spurwink Services in Portland was awarded a $2 million federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to support a school- and community-based Refugee Mental Health Project in Biddeford, Lewiston/Auburn and Greater Portland. GWI, an internet service provider in Biddeford, has adopted VETRO FiberMap, a secure, fl exible, cloud- based platform developed by NBT Solutions LLC in Portland. Colby plans downtown hotel A downtown Waterville building that was home to a Levine's clothing store is being razed to make way for a 42-room boutique hotel and restaurant from Colby College. "A hotel will be a catalyst to more vibrant development downtown, bringing a critical infl ux of visitors to Main Street to dine, shop and attend events," Brian Clark, Colby's vice president of planning, told e Morning Sentinel. "As busi- nesses continue to invest in downtown Waterville, their guests will enjoy staying in the heart of the city." Kate Carlisle, Colby's director of commu- nications, told e Morning Sentinel that because the hotel project is still in its early planning phase, development partners and a timeline for the project isn't available yet. Demolition for the project is expected to be fi nished in three to four weeks at most, according to e Morning Sentinel. A re breaches the new re breaches the new normal for small business? According to a National Cyber Security Alliance study, 71% of cyber attacks target small businesses. Of those that experience a data breach, 60% will close within six months. Among the myriad costs tied to a data breach, reputation damage may be most insidious, lasting long after remediation and deterring customers from working with you. The right public relations partnership can help repair and mitigate damage. A proactive and learn how a proactive public relations strategy can help sustain your business's vitality. Less than half of businesses survive a data breach. communications discipline will communications discipline will communications discipline will foster goodwill among clients long before an incident, and timely and appropriate public communications can mean the difference between successful recovery and a closed sign. As a former bank security officer, Broadreach president and founder, Linda Varrell, has over 20 years of crisis communications expertise. She understands the ins and outs of corporate security. Call Broadreach to learn how a consistent and proactive public relations campaign can keep your business viable in the face of a crisis. MOMENTUM CONVENTION Connect with us November 9, 2016 in Augusta at the 7 th ANNUAL (207) 619-7350 Mainebiz C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N

• Cover