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V O L . X X I I I N O. I V F E B R UA R Y 2 0 , 2 0 1 7 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 Sam Pelletier, optometrist-owner at York Family Eyecare, expanded his practice to include a Dry Eye Treatment Center to diagnose, treat and manage all forms of dry eye. Greater Portland Transit District – METRO said it reached a record ridership of 1.81 million in 2016, eclipsing the previous mark of 1.57 million establish in 2015. The Tru Brit Realty Group of Saxby, Meek & Coward at Keller Williams Realty in Portland announced over $25 million in sales in 2016. Federal hiring freeze affects Acadia Acadia National Park is coming off a record year for attendance, but is not immune to President Donald Trump's Jan. 23 executive order placing a 120- day freeze on federal government hiring, the Mount Desert Islander reported. "We have some very criti- cal vacancies," Superintendent Kevin Schneider told the Acadia Advisory Commission on Feb. 6. e freeze affects permanent full-time jobs — including a position for an IT spe- cialist, the "only permanent employee to troubleshoot our computer sys- tems," Schneider said. Seasonal hires are exempt from the freeze. Acadia plans to hire 140 to 160 seasonal employees this year. N O T E W O R T H Y M I D C O A S T & D O W N E A S T The First Bancorp, parent company of First National Bank in Damariscotta, announced record operating results for the year ended Dec. 31, 2016. Net in- come was $18.0 million, up $1.8 mil- lion or 11.1% from the $16.2 million reported for the year ended Dec. 31, Portland Museum of Art reopens after $2.7M makeover B y J a m e s M c c a r t h y Portland — The Portland Museum of Art unveiled a $2.7 million upgrade featuring a reimagined presentation of its collections across the museum's three buildings. The public unveiling of PMA's multi-year "Your Museum, Reimagined" project took place Feb. 3. "We raised more than $2.7 million and half of that money came from outside the state," said PMA Director Mark Bessire. "It's significant that the National Endowment of the Humanities and the National Endowment of the Arts … saw the cultural value that the Portland Museum of Art brings to Maine. For a smaller market like ours, it's the equivalent of getting an AAA bond rating." The multi-year reimagining process included digitizing the museum's entire collection of more than 18,000 artworks, creating an art study and conference room and publishing the museum's first-ever catalog featuring its most important artworks. One of the biggest surprises to come out of it, Bessire said, is the way in which the museum's efforts to refocus attention on its collections and make them more accessible to the public was appreciated by both past donors and prospective donors. "We have a pretty frugal acquisitions budget," he said, underscoring how important donations have been to the museum's collection of significant works of art, such as David Rockefeller's recent gift of "River Cove," a 1958 tempera paint- ing by Andrew Wyeth that's considered to be one of his best. Attracting visitors to Maine The tourism draw of the Portland Museum of Art and other Maine museums has been cited by the Maine Office of Tourism as a significant contribution to the state's economy. Elizabeth Jones, PMA's director of audience engagement and communications, said the museum's reimagining effort will reinforce that impact for both Maine residents and visi- tors through innovative programs, events and exhibitions. "Transforming Maine through the power of art and high- lighting art and culture's economic significance for the state has been a focal point for the museum and a central tenet of 'Your Museum, Reimagined,'" she said. "It is imperative for the future of our state to position the arts as a quintes- sential Maine experience — one that is unlike anywhere else in the country — and it has been invaluable to have the Maine Office of Tourism by our side throughout this process." "The ultimate goal," she added, "is to bring more people — from Portland, from Maine, and from around the country — into the conversation and ensure everyone has a place at the table. Through positioning the PMA as an epicenter for arts and culture in the northeast, we can strengthen the appeal of Maine for visitors looking for unique experiences, but also potential new residents who are considering estab- lishing homes, businesses, and families in our community." Ralph Hendrix, chief operating officer of the South Portland accounting firm Macpage LLC, said his company has been hosting rotating art exhibits inside its office for the past four years. It not only provides a venue for local artists, he said, it has become a much-appreciated element of the workplace for Macpage employees who have interesting artwork liven- ing up the walls. "I grew up in Portland," he said. "Coming to the museum gives you a nice break from the hecticness of life. It's a nice positive thing for the business community to see this happen- ing. When you re-brand yourself, you re-energize yourself." B R I E F F I L E P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY The Portland Museum of Art, which recently invested $2.7 million in upgrades, is led by Director Mark Bessire. 2015. Earnings per common share on a fully diluted basis of $1.66 were up 15 cents, or 9.9%, compared to 2015. The bank also announced operating results for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2016. Net income was $4.3 mil- lion, up $551,000 or 14.6% from the fourth quarter of 2015, and earnings per common share on a fully diluted basis of 40 cents were up a nickel, or 14.3%, from the same period in 2015. Health insurer ends 2016 with loss Community Health Options, the Lewiston-based nonprofit health insurer created under the Affordable Care Act, ended 2016 with a prelimi- nary net loss of $58.3 million, accord- ing to a report issued by the Maine Bureau of Insurance. e monthly reporting was implemented by Eric Cioppa, superintendent of Maine's Bureau of Insurance, last March after CHO posted a net loss of $31 mil- lion in 2015. e company also was required to set aside a $43 million pre- mium deficiency reserve at the end of 2015 to cover CHO's estimated pre- mium shortfall in 2016. Final num- bers won't be available until March, allowing for a reconciliation of claims, expenses and revenues. N O T E W O R T H Y C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N The city of Auburn and Community Concepts Finance Corp. finalized an agreement which will provide new fi- nancing options for Auburn-based busi- nesses. The result is a new loan pool funded equally by the two organiza- tions that is earmarked for businesses based in the city, with a concentration of effort being placed on TIF district No. 10, which extends from Union Street to the river and as far south as Academy Street. The Skowhegan Savings Charitable Foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield for its $6.5 million Founders Campaign. The campaign supports renovations in Founders Hall as well as the repurpos- ing of the 58-year old J. R. Cianchette building to create a Visual and Performing Arts Education Center. M I D C O A S T & D O W N E A S T C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N

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