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V O L . X X I I I N O. X I M AY 1 5 , 2 0 1 7 6 N O T E W O R T H Y S T A T E W I D E S&P Global Ratings, an international credit rating and market research firm, revised its outlook to stable from negative for the University of Maine System and affirmed the system's AA- long-term rating. The improvement in the outlook comes two years after the ratings agency had downgraded the outlook for the System in light of the demographic, fiscal and competitive challenges that led to the launch of the One University Initiative. Elite Airways to service PWM-Halifax, N.S., route Expanding its international service routes, Elite Airways LLC announced Wednesday that it's launching a new nonstop jet service between Portland and Halifax, Nova Scotia, on June 30. Elite Airways will operate one round- trip flight per day on Fridays, Sundays and Wednesdays between Portland International Jetport (PWM) and Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ), Atlantic Canada's principal full-service airport, serving more than 3.9 million passengers annually. Ticket prices begin at $169 USD each way. NYC accounting firm grows Maine footprint Regional accounting firm Marcum LLP said it has acquired a New Haven firm that will add to its Maine pres- ence. Marcum, which is based in New York, has acquired Meyers, Harrison & Pia LLC and Meyers, Harrison & Pia Valuation and Litigation Support LLC, adding 55 partners and staff. Terms of the deal, which is effective immediately, were not disclosed. Founded in 1954 in New Haven, with offices in Portland, MHP is a full-service accounting firm. N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N The American Heart Association in Portland announced that David Landry, CEO of Spectrum Medical Group in South Portland, will serve as the 2017 Southern Maine Heart Walk chair. Unum Group, an insurance company in Portland, reported net income of $229.9 million, or $1.00 per diluted Price of a lobster roll going up Red's Eats, the downtown Wiscasset takeout restaurant where you might stand in line for an hour to get a lobster roll, is now charging $26.50. e Bangor Daily News reports that it's the highest price charged by Red's in its 79-year existence. e going price for the iconic lobster roll is now typically more than $20, the BDN reports. Lobster meat is selling for $45 a pound, up $5 from the going rate in past years. A trade official blames the lobster glut of five years ago, which created more demand. "Landings in 2012 were big. It was an unprecedented level of supply; something we hadn't seen before," Annie Tselikis, executive director of the Maine Lobster Dealers' Association, told the BDN. Kaplan campuses in Maine among those sold to Purdue Purdue University's plan to acquire Kaplan University will help spur growth at its three campuses in Maine, a local official said. Kaplan has a total of 15 campuses in seven states. It has 32,000 students, including 1,000 at cam- puses in Augusta, Lewiston and South Portland. "is is important news for Maine, its citizens, and employers as our three campuses here will be even better equipped to help advance the development of Maine's workforce — and specifically by serving adult learners," Christopher Quinn, presi- dent of the Maine campuses, said in an email to Mainebiz. He said the acqui- sition would help "catalyze continued growth in Maine." Kaplan Inc. and Kaplan University were part of Graham Holdings Co. (NYSE: GHC). 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 S O U T H E R N Orono Brewing to convert vacant site to brewery and co-working space B y M a i n e b i z S t a f f Orono — Orono Brewing Co. said it hopes to develop a 10,000-square-foot space that's been vacant for four years. If approved by the town, Orono Brewing will open the Orono Industrial Building for Brewery Growth and Community Arts and Activity Hub at 61 Margin St. Total investment, including purchase price and outfitting, is expected to be $600,000, co-owner Abe Furth told Mainebiz. "There are a lot of great breweries in Maine. The advice we've gotten from them is to set yourself up for growth, but then just keep it slow," Furth said. "We're looking at slow growth, long-term growth." The additional space will allow for added brewing capacity and remaining space will be leased to artists as co-making creative space, the company said. The brewery expects to produce 700 barrels this year, and anticipates growth first to 1,400, but the space would also allow capacity to even- tually grow to 6,000 barrels, Furth said. It would also have a tasting room. At the same time, the site's excess square footage would serve as working space for photographers, screen-printing operations and artists. "There's no space like it in Orono," Furth said. Furth, along with co-owners Asa Marsh-Sachs, Heather Furth and Mark Horton "are committed to developing the vacant building into a vital part of the Orono community," the company said in a press release on May 8. "We're so excited for this opportunity. We love the building, and we're looking forward to growing to meet the immedi- ate demand for our beer, and to have excess space for the future needs of OBC," said Marsh-Sachs, who is brewmaster. The town of Orono is the home to the flagship campus of the University of Maine, and to three breweries: Orono Brewing, Black Bear Brewing Co. and Marsh Island Brewing. Orono Brewing has a site at 20 Main St. Three of the four company owners are UMaine graduates and the Furths, who met at UMaine in 1999, will be commencement speakers this year, according to the university's news service. Orono Brewing launched on Dec. 31, 2014. Last year, it added a location in downtown Bangor, at 26 State St. Site would need substantial upgrade The proposed site, which would go by the shorter name The Hub, has a ways to go before it produces beer or hosts art- ists. While the brewery has worked with the town economic development department, it still must be approved by plan- ning and zoning boards. There's also a fair amount of work just stabilizing the building. Furth cited the need for roof repairs, drainage needs, the addition of bathrooms and brewing equipment. Until 2013, the space had been used by Lane Construction for rock crushing and general paving and construction work. "We have a lot to do, and we're looking forward to it. The building needs a new roof, extensive repointing of the masonry, demolition and repairs inside, painting and sealing outside and, overall, a lot of attention," Heather Furth said in the company's news release. "We've decided to make this commitment to Orono, and we can't wait to turn this building around! We're confident that we can make this a vital new part of the Orono experience." B R I E F Orono Brewing Co. owners outside its proposed Hub, which would house brewing operations, a tasting room and co-working space for artists. From left, Mark Horton, Abe Furth, Heather Furth and Asa Marsh-Sachs. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F O RO N O B R E W I N G C O.

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