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Poll results

Sponsored by: OTELCO Inc.

Since March, Maine has experienced major upheavals in business as a result of COVID-19. Many of the changes, particularly in the hospitality and tourism sectors, have been crippling.

Yet other industries have seen surges in sales and in employment, as companies pivot to meet new pandemic-driven demands.

One example has been the growth of Abbott Diagnostics in southern Maine. In northern Maine, a second Puritan Medical Products plant is now in the works to manufacture COVID test swabs. With the new factories, Puritan expects to bring a total of 600 new jobs to Pittsfield.

Ultimately, could the changes in Maine business due to the pandemic be a net benefit for the state's economy?
Yes (40%, 123 VOTES)
No (60%, 182 VOTES)
Poll Description

Sponsored by: OTELCO Inc.

Since March, Maine has experienced major upheavals in business as a result of COVID-19. Many of the changes, particularly in the hospitality and tourism sectors, have been crippling.

Yet other industries have seen surges in sales and in employment, as companies pivot to meet new pandemic-driven demands.

One example has been the growth of Abbott Diagnostics in southern Maine. In northern Maine, a second Puritan Medical Products plant is now in the works to manufacture COVID test swabs. With the new factories, Puritan expects to bring a total of 600 new jobs to Pittsfield.

  • 305 Votes
  • 19 Comments
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19 Comments

  • October 13, 2020

    You can't be serious! It will take years to recover from the devastation of the Mills administration!

  • October 13, 2020

    Of course not. It’s a temporary market reaction.
    The loss of the Maine hospitality brand could be irreparable. The question is not a sound question.

  • October 13, 2020

    I think most of us would agree that a few sectors of the Maine economy are likely to flourish due to the pandemic, at least short term. However, the vast majority of business leaders I talk with are suffering to one degree or other with no real long term relief in sight. I don't see any end to this rocky road for a while yet.

  • October 13, 2020

    The ripple effect through the state's economy can be measured by state tax revenues that have dropped by 12% on an $8 billion two-year budget. That loss is not going to be offset by the few businesses prospering during these unusual times.

  • Kathy Guillory
    October 13, 2020

    Absolutely. The shift to remote work will allow more people to move to Maine and support the local economy (by buying homes, cars, etc.) while earning market rate wages in places like NYC or Boston.