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V I E W P O I N T S W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 3 D E C E M B E R 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 For a daily digest of Maine's top business news, sign up for the Mainebiz Daily Report at mainebiz.biz/enews Get Maine's business news daily at mainebiz.biz and on Twitter (@Mainebiz). Below is some of the best from our online-only offerings: Featured @ Mainebiz.biz What's new in Community Health Options' lawsuit against federal government? A federal judge's Dec. 2 rul- ing gives Lewiston-based health insurer Community Health Options the green light to proceed with its $22.9 million lawsuit against the federal govern- ment seeking payments it says it is owed under the Affordable Care Act's "risk corridors" program. Find out more about the nonprofit insurance CO-OP's lawsuit and its financial performance so far in 2016 at mainebiz.biz/acalawsuit Geary sales slip in Maine's brew industry D.L. Geary Brewing Co., Portland's first craft brewer, made 34.5% less beer in 2015 than in 2011, compared with Maine's craft breweries, which produced 113.8% more beer in 2015 than in 2011. Find out what's behind those numbers at mainebiz.biz/geary AMC proves a big boost to Moosehead region's economy Appalachian Mountain Club reports that more than 50 local workers, including a dozen Maine contractors, have been employed in the construction of its new lodge and cabins on Second Roach Pond near Kokadjo and Greenville. Find out more about the AMC's continuing invest- ment in Piscataquis County through its Maine Woods Initiative at mainebiz.biz/moosehead From the Editor M ainebiz is in the second year of honoring Maine's Fastest Growing Companies and we're seeing some good examples of why they're growing — and what that means. One company, Maine Coast, continues to fi nd new markets in Asia and found the need to open a site close to Logan International Airport so ship- ping could go faster. Another company, Apothecary By Design, has tapped into the fastest-growing area of the pharmaceutical industry, specialty drugs, and as a result sales are growing at a blistering pace. Tilson, a technology company, is racing to keep up with its marketplace, but also to keep up with its own hir- ing; the fi rm plans to hire 100 people in the next 18 months. Still another company, Energy Circle, is looking for new space for its headquarters. Cheating Gourmet is improving effi ciency and lowering prices to make itself competitive in a broader range of stores. Horch Roofi ng, OTTO Pizza and Maine Foodie Tours cite training employees as a huge part of what makes them successful. In Maine, we often hear about companies that are contracting or having diffi culty growing. ese are just a few examples of companies that are grow- ing and in some cases facing the challenge of grow- ing pains — fi nding qualifi ed employees, breaking into more competitive markets, having to build layers of management, retooling their mission state- ments and so on. Challenges or not, that's all good news for the state's economy. Heard on the street Morningstar Stone and Tile, which is based in Topsham, is the latest Maine company to adopt an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. To start, the ESOP trust will own 30% of the company, with the goal of owning 100% within seven to 10 years. ere are 21 employ- ees. e company was founded by Nick Whatley in 1986 and he remains the president. " e ESOP struc- ture allows us the chance to give all employees the opportunity to use their good work to build a much stronger position for retirement," Whatley says … In Portland, Maine Wellness Partners has rebranded and is now known as Ombody Health. e Portland- based company off ers in-house yoga classes for companies … Community Concepts Finance Corp., the fi nancial arm of the Lewiston nonprofi t Community Concepts Inc., will be named "Microlender of the Year" later in December by the Small Business Administration … Heiwa Tofu has opened a food pro- duction facility at 201 West St. in Rockport. Owners Jeff Wolovitz and Maho Hisakawa acquired the building in April, then outfi tted the space to make small- batch organic tofu, which is sold in grocery stores, natural food stores and co-ops in New England. " is investment in our own production facility is a milestone for Heiwa," says Wolovitz. "We have much more control over our business and greater oppor- tunity for growth." … Redzone Wireless LLC installed free WiFi at the Bangor Mall for the holiday shop- ping season … Mother's Mountain Mustard, founded by Carol Tanner using her mother's recipe for mustard, is going into its 35 th year in business. e Falmouth company now distributes its products nationwide. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz There's a reason they're the 'fastest growing' Be smart. BE SHUR. bernsteinshur.com When you need a JD with an MBA's approach. In Maine, we often hear about In Maine, we often hear about In Maine, we often hear about In Maine, we often hear about In Maine, we often hear about In Maine, we often hear about In Maine, we often hear about In Maine, we often hear about In Maine, we often hear about In Maine, we often hear about In Maine, we often hear about In Maine, we often hear about In Maine, we often hear about In Maine, we often hear about companies that are contracting companies that are contracting companies that are contracting companies that are contracting companies that are contracting companies that are contracting companies that are contracting companies that are contracting companies that are contracting companies that are contracting companies that are contracting companies that are contracting companies that are contracting or having difficulty growing. These are just a few examples of companies that are growing.

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