20 and counting
Did you notice the change to our flag on the cover? The emblem incorporated with the “M” of Mainebiz that announces our anniversary? Yup. This year marks 20 years for us as Maine's business news source.
We're pretty proud of that, especially when you consider the changes within the publishing industry over the past two decades. We think we've been able to bring you relevant, insightful and useful news and information since our inception in 1994. Back then, Mainebiz was only available in print, but now we deliver business intelligence via print, online and in person through our events.
To mark our anniversary, this September we will present a special anniversary issue that looks at Maine's legacy industries, how they've adapted over 20 years and what the future likely holds. More's in store, so stay tuned.
I suppose if we were to consider a special anniversary issue in 2034 — 20 years from now — gaming might be an industry worth a look. The Legislature is considering a half dozen proposals to expand gaming in Maine, an action opposed by the owner of Oxford Casinos. It raises interesting questions about how big the gaming market is and how thinly you can slice the revenue pie. Senior Writer Jim McCarthy takes a look at what's brewing as part of our focus on central and western Maine in his story, “High-stakes betting.”
Down the road a piece, Staff Writer Lori Valigra talks with the people behind the tomatoes at Backyard Farms in Madison. The operation was hobbled this summer, first by whiteflies and then by inferior seed stock, resulting in a dearth of the tasty tomatoes through the fall and into the winter. Happily, the operation is back up and running and adopting some new practices to reduce the chance of future disruptions. Her story, “Welcome harvest.”
And, if it's January, it must be time to check in with a slate of economists and see what they predict for 2014. Just as we've done for the past several years, we've tapped five prominent economists to share their forecasts for what this year holds for Maine's economy. See where they anticipate movement in jobs, housing, health care reform, energy and a raft of other issues. The story, “Five on the future,” starts on the cover.
In a sort of book-end arrangement, we start this issue with people looking ahead. But toward the back of Mainebiz, we have an interview with an entrepreneur who's experiencing a sense of déjà vu. Tom Toye III started a valet parking service at the Portland International Jetport back in the '70s, leased it to others and now is back at the helm. He talks about why he's back in the service game (despite the 4 a.m. wakeup call) in our On the Record profile.
And finally, as you update your 2014 calendars, make sure you note when Mainebiz staff are in your neck of the woods. We truly value the feedback we get from folks we meet and talk to during our On the Road receptions and at the reader roundtables that precede them. This year we set out for Portland, the Kennebunks, Belfast, Skowhegan, Lewiston-Auburn and Bangor. Check our events page for reception details.
We'll be sure to celebrate our anniversary at each!
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