From Preble Street to planetary PR: 10 feel-good stories from 2021

File photo / Courtesy, University of Maine at Presque Isle In March, the University of Maine at Presque Isle was awarded a $7,500 grant to develop new marketing materials for its Solar System Model, including this representation of Saturn.

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Good news is a precious commodity in these times, and Mainebiz covered plenty of positivity in 2021 — from funding for planetary PR in Aroostook County to Preble Street's new food security hub in South Portland.

As we get ready to close 2021 and ring in the new year, here are 10 Mainebiz stories with good vibes in little and larger doses.

Maine tops Northeast among best states for starting a small business (Feb. 3)

Atlas Van Lines report shows Maine has the No. 3 'inbound' rate of moves (Feb. 4)

UMPI receives grant to market an astronomical attraction in Aroostook County (March 2)

Portland startup pioneers a hat to secure implants for deaf children (March 15)

Former IDEXX CEO finds new purpose in philanthropy after catastrophic bike accident (July 6)

Acadia visitation likely to crack 4 million for first time ever (Sept. 24)

Growing Portland retail tech provider FieldStack eyes national expansion (Oct. 7)

Maine nonprofits team up with Airbnb to help veterans earn income as hosts (Nov. 8)

Pandemic drives Farmington company's $2.5 million investment in Maine's largest inkjet printer (Nov. 24)

Preble Street launches $8 million food security hub (Dec. 17)

For even more inspiration, check out the Mainebiz podcast "The Day That Changed Everything," which features stories about Maine leaders whose lives were upended by a single day or event — and lessons learned from those experiences.