Mainebiz

V O L . X X I V N O. I I I F E B R UA R Y 5 , 2 0 1 8 10 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 enables caregivers to quickly analyze the causes of blood clotting disor- ders at the point of care. The device reduces the costs and risks associ- ated with unnecessary blood transfu- sions. Separately, MDI developed the Anecdata Citizen Science Mobile App to help community organizations track and analyze crowd-sourced data from citizen volunteers on criti- cal environmental questions. Toys 'R' Us will close Bangor store Toys 'R' Us said it will close a store at 6 Bangor Mall Blvd. as part of a wider reorganization plan to close 182 stores nationwide. e Wayne, N.J.-based retail chain disclosed its plans in court documents filed in a U.S. Bankruptcy Court, U.S. Today reported. It also plans to close a Babies 'R' Us store at 200 Running Hill Road in South Portland, though a nearby Toys 'R' Us in South Portland will remain open. Emera parent proceeds with clean energy project, like CMP Emera Inc., the Halifax, Nova Scotia- based parent company of Emera Maine, plans to proceed with its proposed 1,000 megawatt Atlantic Canada and Southern New England project even though it was rejected by evaluators in the Massachusetts Clean Energy RFP. Central Maine Power Co. announced a similar intention after Massachusetts selected the Eversource Energy's Northern Pass transmission project over CMP's competing $950 million bid to deliver more than 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy from Hydro- Quebec. Northern Pass was the only project whose bid was accepted in the Massachusetts Clean Energy RFP. N O T E W O R T H Y N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N Ashland Area Economic Development Committee opened a new office locat- ed at 190 Presque Isle St. in Ashland. Husson University in Bangor an- nounced that Camden National Bank pledged $25,000 toward the construc- tion of a proposed building for the col- lege of business. Lawmakers tackle human resources issues in short session in Augusta B y M a u r e e n M i l l i k e n T he state legislative session has just a little more than two months to go — it concludes April 18 — but there are still some meaty topics winding their way through the pipeline. A bill that would create a paid family medical leave program will be the topic of a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 6, before the Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development. LD 1587 creates a paid family medical leave program that's patterned after the state's existing unpaid family medi- cal leave program, but requires a contribution from the employee. A portion of an eligible employee's paycheck would be taken out every pay period to fund the leave. The program is voluntary for employees. Like the current law, which allows up to 10 weeks of unpaid leave, it would also be optional for businesses employing 15 people or fewer. It's sponsored by Rep. Erin Herbig, D-Belfast, and Sen. Amy Volk, R-Cumberland. The hearing will be at 10 a.m. in Room 208 of the Cross Building and is scheduled to last two hours. Also on Feb. 6, the Judiciary Committee will hold a work session on a bill that amends the law governing profiteering in prescription drugs. The bill, LD 1406, would require more disclosure of drug production, research and development, marketing and advertising costs, as well as actual costs paid upon purchase. It also allows the attorney general's office to investigate alleged violations and requires the attorney general to report yearly on violations. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Sagadahoc. Testimony from Attorney General Janet Mills, a number of health care and pharmaceutical representatives, AARP and others will be considered during the work session. It's scheduled for 1 p.m. in Room 438 of the State House, and expected to take four hours. P O L I T I C S & C O. N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N

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