University of Southern Maine

Mainebiz is honored to present the 2026 Mainebiz Business Leaders of the Year. These seven individuals span various industries, including the nonprofit sector. 

Propelling overall enrollment growth is a 40% year-over-year increase in the number of University of Maine at Presque Isle students taking advantage of the YourPace online degree and certificate programs.

The arts help prepare students for the workforce by strengthening creative, critical-thinking and communication skills. Construction will break ground in early January.

The facility is named for Town & Country Federal Credit Union, which provided $750,000 in funding.

Partnerships, collaborations and facilities are popping up to support startups and entrepreneurs in fields ranging from life sciences to food production to marine biotechnology.

“The silver lining to the window collision problem is that it is easily within our ability to fix,” said a Maine Audubon representative.

Alexa McGovern is the founder of Dirigo Sea Farm, an early-stage startup that aims to fight plastic pollution by turning kelp into biodegradable bioplastic film for use in products such as dishwasher and laundry pods

Amid changing federal research funding landscapes, the partnership will support blue economy research and development and create commercialization pathways.

Some 185 veterans are enrolled this spring at the school, which has campuses in Portland, Gorham and Lewiston.

Speakers include David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System; Brien Walton, chair of the Maine Venture Fund; Brian Whitney, president of the Maine Technology Institute; and Scott Kleiman, policy director for the economy and workforce for the state of Maine.