Maine Development Foundation

Top leaders at the Mainebiz CEO Forum said COVID has changed how they lead, with an eye toward greater flexibility and empathy for employees.

The money will be used for historic revitalization, preservation and other upgrades of historic downtown buildings. It’s expected to spur private sector investment that in turn will increase the value and use of historically significant properties.

Award-winners in Bath, Saco and Skowhegan recognize the importance of resilient, vital downtowns, particularly in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization said.

The 2020 Measures of Growth report says there's reason for optimism about Maine's economy, but short-term issues like racial and ethnic income equality, lack of investment in R&D and poor school math performance must be addressed.

Legislation approved last year allows Our Katahdin, owner of the former Great Northern Paper site, to partner with Brookfield Renewable to sell energy to potential tenants in a redevelopment plan that aims to lure new forest products innovators, data centers and more.

The five communities, all hit hard by the demise of the traditional timber industry, are looking at innovative ways to take advantage of the abundance of timber in the region — as well as former mill sites.

Grants of up to $3,000 will be awarded weekly through April to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis in the downtowns of the two Kennebec River cities.

Skowhegan, Monson and Lisbon will get $70,000 in grants and training to help develop local entrepreneurship and innovation networks in a program created by the National Main Street Center and funded through the Maine Community Foundation.

The 10 towns in the Maine Development Foundation Main Street Maine program have a list of suggestions for Gov. Janet Mills and the state's congressional delegation that may help businesses stay afloat during the coronavirus crisis.

After an extensive application process, Heart of Ellsworth joined 17 other community organizations from across the state in the Maine Downtown Center Affiliate Program.