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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 J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 7 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 From the Editor T he cover of this issue delves into an issue that seems to be gaining momentum, especially in southern Maine. We often hear how much demand there is for real estate here. Part of it is the economy has fi nally, painfully recovered from the recession. Another aspect is Maine has plenty of old buildings with- out much new development — in, say, the way you might see in a major city or the Sun Belt. Mainers like to take a thoughtful, measured approach to development, carefully sizing up what impact new commercial space, stores or houses might have on the surrounding landscape — which indeed attracted many of us to Maine in the fi rst place. But in recent years we've heard at the MEREDA conference and from commercial real estate brokers that there's a shortage of industrial and warehouse space. From site-selection experts, we've heard that downtown Portland could use more Class A offi ce space. From economists, we've heard that, without adequate aff ordable housing, it's going to be diffi cult to attract workers and keep the economy growing. NIMBY vs. YIMBY Still, battles continue to be waged over Americold's proposed cold-storage facility on the Portland waterfront. And, as Senior Writer Renee Cordes points out in her cover story, developer Jim Brady invested some three years working with the Munjoy Hill neighborhood to fi nd the right balance for the planned mixed-use development at 58 Fore St. Renee's story also looks at a measure that could come up for referendum that some worry could have a chill- ing eff ect on development in Portland, eff ectively pro- viding neigh- borhoods with veto power to quash unwanted proposals while sidestepping the planning board. On the YIMBY side — Yes, in my back yard — the MEREDA spring conference looked at areas that were saying, "We need houses, retail, offi ces." Even with encouragement, few developers would go into project thinking it's a slam dunk. With good reason, many developers are adopting an approach that combines housing, retail and commercial space with stricter standards for energy effi ciency and environmental impact. e term being used is smart- growth principles. Laurie Schreiber, a staff writer who compiles the Mainebiz Real Estate Insider, takes a look at developers that are taking this tack. Pro-development, yes, but with an approach that may fi nd less resistance in neighborhoods. Where art, science and commerce meet Long before moving to Maine, I made regular pilgrimages to the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, Pa., another place where the Wyeth name is as legendary as it is on the midcoast. Recently, Senior Writer / Content Specialist Lori Valigra has had a chance to explore Allen Island, where the Wyeth family has created an environment that combines art, science and a working waterfront used by lobstermen. Lori talks to Jamie Wyeth, Island Institute co-founder Phil Conkling and representa- tives from Colby and Unity colleges, who have come together to form a unique working partner- ship on the 450-acre island in Muscongus Bay. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz How much growth is the right amount of growth? An old trade finds new markets Ed Lutjens, owner of Portland Barrel, is find- ing a niche as the only commercial cooper north of New York crafting wooden barrels for alcohol. He makes about 200 barrels per year by hand, or about four per week, ranging from $175 for a 5-gallon barrel to $450 for a 53-gallon barrel. Find out more at mainebiz.biz/cooper MTI grants boost early-stage companies Early-stage companies in nearly half of Maine's 16 counties, as well as in six of the state's seven tar- geted technology sectors, are the recipients of $695,000 in Maine Technology Institute awards. The grants will help fund endeavors ranging from prototype development and proof-of-concept work to helping companies commercialize and scale new products. Find out more at mainebiz.biz/mtiboost Maine winery competes well against the best Cellardoor Winery, nestled in a valley between Cameron and Levenseller mountains in Lincolnville, won 18 awards, including three Double Gold Medals, at the 2017 San Francisco International Wine Competition, which is considered to be one of the most influential wine competitions in the world. Find out more about the Maine winery at mainebiz.biz/cellardoor Be smart. BE SHUR. bernsteinshur.com When you need a JD with an MBA's approach. Mainers like to take a Mainers like to take a Mainers like to take a Mainers like to take a Mainers like to take a Mainers like to take a Mainers like to take a Mainers like to take a Mainers like to take a thoughtful, measured thoughtful, measured thoughtful, measured thoughtful, measured thoughtful, measured thoughtful, measured thoughtful, measured thoughtful, measured thoughtful, measured thoughtful, measured thoughtful, measured thoughtful, measured thoughtful, measured approach to development, carefully sizing up the impact.