According to a Mainebiz poll of its readers, 30% of respondents say they plan some kind of physical business expansion, from new construction to buying or leasing additional space.
Subscribe to Mainebiz and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.
Click here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article.
Two years ago, amid the pandemic, “supply chain issues” became a household term, as everything from HVAC parts to insulation panels became hot commodities.
Today, some of the supply-chain disruptions have been resolved, but issues remain.
For the businesses that are looking to grow, the cost of construction remains a concern.
A recent Mainebiz poll asked, “Does your company plan an expansion in the next year that would involve building, buying or leasing additional space?” It probably wouldn’t surprise readers to know that 70% of those that responded said they had no plans to expand.
But, in my view, a surprising number do have some kind of expansion plans, from new construction (12%) to leasing additional space (10%) to buying a building or space (7%).
Laurie Schreiber, who writes one of our weekly Real Estate Insiders, went directly to contractors to ask what they’re seeing. Most said they remain busy, though they’ve had to find creative ways to navigate volatile prices, supply disruptions and labor shortages. See “Construction outlook,” which starts on Page 22.
For our cover story, Renee Cordes took a look at the trend of more women buying homes. She talks to several homebuyers and lenders for her story. See “A home of her own,” which starts on Page 16.
Reporter Alexis Wells is a Saco native, but took a closer look at her hometown to see where there’s growth, particularly along U.S. Route 1. “The scoop on Saco” starts on Page 26.
The issue also features a “Building Business” column (on Page 13) and two construction related lists.
Copyright © 2026 New England Business Media. All Rights Reserved.