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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 6 Nova Scotia ferry operator pleased with rst season e inaugural season of Bay Ferries Ltd.'s Portland-to-Nova Scotia ferry service, e Cat, had lower passen- ger numbers than its predecessor, but the Canadian ferry operator says it is pleased with the results. Bay Ferries told the Portland Press Herald that it carried 35,551 passengers in its summer season, which it launched in June. By comparison, the route's previous opera- tor, Nova Star Cruises, carried 59,000 people in 2014 and 52,000 in 2015, though it had a larger vessel. "We're really proud of how it's going," Mark MacDonald, chairman and CEO of Bay Ferries Ltd., told the Press Herald. " ere were lots of challenges, but we feel we have something to build on." N O T E W O R T H Y S T A T E W I D E U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services will receive $9,458,354 through the Department of Justice Crime Victims Fund to enhance crime victim services in Maine. Collins and King, joined by U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, announced that the University Center Economic Development Program at the University of Maine in Orono and University of Southern Maine in Portland will 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 No more for a spot searching per day $10 open 4:30Am to 1Am or later. Drive 100 yards past baggage claim, look for our green sign. www.parknjetportland.com 747-5650 Valet parking At the Airport Get engaged, inspired and connected with a print + digital subscription to Mainebiz. You'll receive bi-weekly issues, special publications and full online access! REAL ESTATE / REAL ESTATE / REAL ESTATE / CONSTRUCTION / DESIGN CONSTRUCTION / DESIGN CONSTRUCTION / DESIGN S TA R T I N G O N P A G E 2 0 S TA R T I N G O N P A G E 2 0 S TA R T I N G O N P A G E 2 0 B y L o r i V a l i g r a B y L o r i V a l i g r a B y L o r i V a l i g r a B y L o r i V a l i g r a B y L o r i V a l i g r a B y L o r i V a l i g r a S E E W H O ' S N E X T O N PA G E 3 8 S E E W H O ' S N E X T O N PA G E 3 8 S E E W H O ' S N E X T O N PA G E 3 8 » Kathy Shafer Kathy Shafer Kathy Shafer, senior director of worldwide facilities , senior director of worldwide facilities , senior director of worldwide facilities at at at IDEXX Laboratories IDEXX Laboratories IDEXX Laboratories in Westbrook, works on her in Westbrook, works on her in Westbrook, works on her laptop at the Synergy Center, which offers unique laptop at the Synergy Center, which offers unique laptop at the Synergy Center, which offers unique spaces where employees can work. spaces where employees can work. spaces where employees can work. into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light $2.00 $2.00 $2.00 July 25, 2016 July 25, 2016 July 25, 2016 VO L . 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Or call: 845.267.3008 Subscribe online: mainebiz.biz/knowmainebiz F U L L C O N T E N T S O N PA G E 4 F U L L C O N T E N T S O N PA G E 4 F U L L C O N T E N T S O N PA G E 4 » M O R E I N S I D E M O R E I N S I D E M O R E I N S I D E S TA R T I N G O N P A G E 2 0 S TA R T I N G O N P A G E 2 0 S TA R T I N G O N P A G E 2 0 C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 1 4 C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 1 4 C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 1 4 C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 1 4 C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 1 4 C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 1 4 » S E E W H O ' S N E X T O N PA G E 3 8 S E E W H O ' S N E X T O N PA G E 3 8 S E E W H O ' S N E X T O N PA G E 3 8 into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light into the light Maine companies reinterpret office space Maine companies reinterpret office space Maine companies reinterpret office space B y L a u r i e S c h r e i B y L a u r i e S c h r e i B y L a u r i e S c h r e i B e r e r e r CEI lands $20M USDA loan to boost community-building projects in rural Maine B R U N S W I C K — Coastal Enterprises Inc. has received a direct $20 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that can be re-loaned to fund the purchase, construction or improvement of community facilities in high-poverty rural areas. The Brunswick-based nonprofi t is one of 26 community development organizations nationwide to receive a total of $401 million in funding through the USDA's Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. "This is a very signifi cant amount of funding to be awarded to any organization through this program," USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel told Mainebiz in a telephone interview on Oct. 6. "CEI is the only recipient of any funding of this kind in New England." Manuel said the USDA loan is based on CEI's nation- ally recognized track record as a Community Development Financial Institution in supporting rural communities both in Maine and across the nation. The $20 million, she said, "will enable CEI to bolster opportunity to our vibrant communities through relending, thereby supporting essential community facilities that Maine's rural residents rely on." "Vibrant rural communities need more than individual businesses to thrive," added Betsy Biemann, CEO of CEI, in a statement announcing the award. "They also need community resources that contribute to quality of life and help to retain and attract families and entrepreneurs. CEI has fi nanced child care centers, a nonprofi t school serving youths with behavioral challenges, federally qualifi ed health centers and other nonprofi t facilities." How the program works As a re-lender, CEI will use the $20 million loan to provide fi xed-interest loans at competitive rates to eligible applicants. Examples of eligible community facilities include: Libraries, museums or private schools Community support services such as senior centers, child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds or transitional housing. Hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes or assisted-living facilities. Town halls, courthouse, airport hangars or street improvements Telemedicine or distance learning equipment Local food systems such as community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs or greenhouses Fire or police stations, prisons, police vehicles, fi re trucks, public works vehicles or equipment. Manuel said the USDA expects the fi nancing will help CEI and the other loan recipients to leverage additional private or philanthropic investments in rural communities. "They have a fi ve-year period in which to invest that money," she said. "They don't have to spend $20 million in the fi rst year." CEI President Keith Bisson told Mainebiz that CEI will be working with USDA Rural Development's Maine offi ce to develop specifi c guidelines for the program, as well as marketing it to targeted areas. In the meantime, he said, interested parties can go to the CEI website to learn more about its work as a mission-driven lender and investor spe- cializing in rural economic development. CEI's rural lending maintains a focus on micro and small businesses, includ- ing natural resources-based industries, affordable housing, renewable energy, microlending and community facilities such as health care. Of the current $39.1 million loan portfolio, $26.9 million, or 68%, is invested in rural regions. Since 1977, CEI and its subsidiaries have provided nearly $1.2 billion in fi nancing to more than 2,500 enterprises with over 33,000 jobs. It has created or preserved more than 1,800 units of affordable housing, provided training and counseling to nearly 50,000 individuals and businesses and created or preserved more than 5,800 child care slots. It was the fi rst organization in Maine to be certifi ed by the U.S. Treasury Deparment as a Community Development Financial Institution and is a NeighborWorks Organization and a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. — J a m e s M c C a r t h y