Week of May 21, 2018
Busi­ness Tips — Job Post­ings — Property
Business Tips and Information
2018 Memorial Day Parade
Monday May 28th. We would like to invite your groups to join us in this year’s Memorial Day Parade, slated for May 28th at 10 a.m. as a show of support to our veterans and a sign of respect for those who have sacrificed so much in defense of our country and the freedom we enjoy as Americans. 
The parade participants will gather by 9:30 a.m. at Smart & Edward’s Funeral Home parking lot. To Register please use the link below. The parade will then proceed down Madison Avenue, onto Water Street, and ending at the Veteran’s Memorial on Water Street. 

For more information or for group participation please contact the Skowhegan Area Chamber here.

Please join the committee after the parade for a dedication at the Veteran's Memorial, next to the Skowhegan Town Office.

Register here
Skowhegan Candidates Night
Wednesday, June 6  at 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Coburn Park , 419 Water Street

The Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce will host a forum for the public to hear from the candidates for Skowhegan Town Council.

We have invited all of the candidates: Steven Conley, John Grohs, David Hayward Jr., Paul Natale, Roger Staples, Darryll White, and Vanessa York
This forum provides an opportunity for candidates to express their views so voters can become better informed about their positions and make informed voting choices. The event will be a question and answer format and will last about 60 minutes.

The Skowhegan Area Chamber will be taking public questions in advance. Please email us to submit your request. Please submit your questions by June 5th at 5:00 p.m. Registration is not required.

This event will be held at Coburn park (419 Water Street), with a rain location of the (Skowhegan Renaissance Center, 60 Water Street)
A few more volunteers wanted
We are trying to do a pilot program here in the Skowhegan Area with Junior Achievement. We need your help to make this happen and be successful, will you join us?

Junior Achievement of Maine is a statewide nonprofit organization with the mission of inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Our volunteer-delivered, kindergarten-12th grade programs foster work force readiness skills, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. Our goal is to bridge the gap between the academic and business communities and help prepare kids for the real-world and a future career. All programs are free to teachers in Maine and taught by community volunteers who weave in their life and work experience to the age appropriate curriculum's that are delivered during the school day. This past academic year, JA impacted more than 12,600 kindergarten-12th grade students across Maine with the help of 500 community volunteers.

You can find more on Junior Achievement of Maine   here  . Find more about the program   here   .

We are looking for 15-20 volunteers. Once we get to that number we will be holding and informational session to learn more. If you can commit to a few hours each school year, please let us know here. We look forward to getting the volunteers, and then going and introducing this to the area schools.
Dream Big Awards
Big dreams deserve big rewards!

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with MetLife to recognize the very best in American small business. Every year at the Small Business Summit, the Dream Big Small Business of the Year Awards program honors the achievements of small businesses and highlights their contributions to America’s economic growth. Find more here .
May 24, 2018, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. @ Skowhegan Municipal Building Council Room

This informational meeting is to give the public information on who can apply, how to apply, and what is eligible and what is not eligible through the Façade Program. The Town is applying for a new grant to help Skowhegan businesses and commercial property owners improve the exterior of their buildings. If anyone is thinking of applying, this is the time to come ask questions. If anyone has questions, please call the Economic & Community Development Office at 207-474-6905 or email us at info@skowhegan.org
Somerset Career & Technical Center
Electrical Construction
This course provides students with the knowledge and background that prepares them for a career in the electrical field. Students learn electrical safety, tools of the trade, wiring, conduit parts, and assembly.

In the first year of this two-year program, students learn the basics of the National Electrical Code and the theory of electricity. Students work in the shop applying the six common wiring methods using industry required tools. During the second
year, students continue to advance their studies of the National Electrical Code as well as learning to read blueprints. The students work outside of the shop on practical “live work” projects including, Service Entrance Equipment, Motor Starters, Motor Controls, Electric Heat, Solar Energy, and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s). Seniors have the opportunity to receive a certification through the National Association of Home Builders.

Find more here .
Thomas College: The Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation
Created to provide a suite of resources and programming that individuals interested in taking their businesses to the next level can access. The Institute provides the platform from which instruction, training, events, mentoring and access to talent are all made available within the context of entrepreneurship and innovation. These are just some of the tools that you will use to catalyze the growth of your business and your dreams, find more here .

Improve your professional skills or empower your employees to learn from Thomas faculty and staff who combine career experience with engaging teaching methods. Our programs offer cost-effective solutions to train one or multiple employees. Programs are only one day per week and provide practical training in a wide variety of professional skills. Programs are typically from 2:15-5:15 p.m. Each offers a certificate of completion when the course ends. The Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation was founded to help Central Maine Businesses develop talent and improve their operations. We developed two distinct program categories to suit different levels of your organization, find more here .
Kennebec Valley Community College 
Build a Small Timber Frame House Workshop - Part 1 (June)
June 18 – June 22, , Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Learn to build a small house through the millennia old craft of timber framing. Students will focus on layout, cutting, joinery, and raising a timber frame. Students will learn the “square rule” method, gain confidence with hand tools, and learn some modern advantages of power tools. This is Part 1 of a Small House Workshops Series to see the structure from start to completion.

More info:   https://goo.gl/vfBELA
Price: $1,500 | Sign up here or more here .
Maine Quality Centers
Is your business expanding? Are you considering locating your firm in Maine? Do your current Maine workers need new skills?

The Maine Quality Centers provide customized workforce training grants for Maine employers seeking to locate or expand their operations in Maine or who are interested in providing training to their incumbent workers. Find more here.
Internal Revenue Service Information
Paycheck Checkup for Seasonal and Part-year Workers
If you work a seasonal or part-year job, a “paycheck checkup” can help make sure your employer is withholding the right amount of tax from your paycheck for your situation. A “paycheck checkup” is important after changes from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Taxpayers can use the Withholding Calculator on IRS.gov. It can help estimate income, credits, adjustments and deductions.

If you work part of the year, it’s best to check early in your employment period so your withholding is the most accurate. 
Paycheck Checkup for Taxpayers Who Itemize
If You Itemize Deductions, Avoid Tax Surprises with a “Paycheck Checkup”

People who’ve itemized deductions on past tax returns should do a “paycheck checkup” using the updated IRS Withholding Calculator . This is especially important due to tax law changes from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, such as: A cap on deductions for state and local taxes.

·          Limits to the deduction for home mortgage interest in certain cases. 
·          Eliminated deductions for employee business expenses, tax preparation fees and investment expenses.

See IRS.gov/taxreform for more information. 
Skowhegan Savings hires Meisner as community banker
Skowhegan Savings Bank in Skowhegan has hired Brandi A. Meisner as a community banker in Somerset County. Her focus will be on assisting customers with their personal and small business banking needs throughout the region.

A Skowhegan native, Meisner has a background in customer service for individuals and businesses. She worked more than 14 years as an insurance producer locally for Higgins & Bolduc, the Varney Agency and Miles F. Carpenter Co.
Meisner is on the executive boards of the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Skowhegan, of which she chairs several subcommittees. A graduate of Thomas College, she has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in business management and administration. Meisner lives in Skowhegan with her husband and daughter, where they help operate family businesses Maine Cedar Hot Tubs and the Skowhegan Wooden Rule.
Gov. LePage names 32 'Opportunity Zone' communities
Gov. Paul R. LePage named the 32 Maine communities selected to participate in the federal Opportunity Zones program.

Federal law allows governors from each state to nominate 25% of a state's eligible low-income census tracts to be designated as Opportunity Zones. The U.S. Treasury recently accepted Maine's designated tracts into the federal program. Of the 128 eligible tracts in Maine, LePage could select a maximum of 32 for designation into the program.
A new economic development program established under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the designation provides a federal tax incentive for taxpayers who invest unrealized capital gains into so-called "Opportunity Funds," dedicated to investing in established "Opportunity Zones."

In February, the Department of Economic and Community Development began accepting public input regarding the designation of Maine's Opportunity Zones.

"We received feedback from across the state," George Gervais, DECD commissioner, said in a news release announcing the Opportunity Zone selections. "In many communities, this program could be the catalyst to moving development projects forward by attracting much needed capital and ultimately benefiting not just that community but the entire state."

LePage selected tracts based primarily on identified investment opportunities where such investments would likely be met with success.

Here's the list, by county, of Maine communities selected to be Opportunity Zones:
  • Androscoggin: Auburn, Lewiston
  • Aroostook: Washburn, Limestone, Madawaska and a contiguous low-income tract encompassing Caswell, Stockholm and Connor.
  • Cumberland: Portland (port area), Westbrook, South Portland, Brunswick.
  • Hancock: Ellsworth.
  • Kennebec: Augusta, Waterville.
  • Oxford: Rumford, Paris.
  • Penobscot: Bangor, Brewer, Old Town, Lincoln, Enfield, Millinocket, East Millinocket.
  • Piscataquis: Greenville.
  • Sagadaoc: Bath.
  • Somerset: Hartland, Madison.
  • Waldo: Belfast.
  • Washington: Calais; the eligible non-low-income contiguous tract encompassing Baileyville, Whiting and Dennysville; and the contiguous low-income tract encompassing Pembroke, Baring and Meddybumps.
  • York: Saco.

"Opportunity Zones will help attract otherwise wary investors to underserved communities through the creation of Opportunity Funds,"  DECD stated in a February news release  seeking nominations for the program. "With an estimated $2.3 trillion in underutilized capital gains, certain investments will no longer be subject to capital gains tax to incentivize long-term investor commitment."
Lake George Regional Park hires Chief Park Administrator
Welcoming Darryll White, Chief Park Administrator!

A New Englander at heart with historical family ties to Maine, Darryll recently returned to the region after 16 years in San Francisco. Especially exciting for Lake George, Darryll has entrepreneurial experience in the field of urban bicycle tourism for the last 20 years. He played founding roles in entities including the Bike and Roll national cooperative, Bike and Roll San Francisco and New York City, Parkwide Activities, and Cycle Cities North America. He enjoys personal fitness, sea kayaking, snowshoeing, bike riding, and hiking, as well as hosting a weekly show on WXNZ (The Quarter Hour). We can't wait to have his experience on our team!
Lake George Regional Park hires Park Resource Manager
Welcome Justin Spencer, Park Resource Manager-

Justin has lived in Central Maine most of his life, swimming, fishing, boating, and ice fishing at Lake George. He served the U.S. Army for 5 years, fulfilling the role of Combat Engineer, and as such, will be a perfect fit for ensuring the safety and organization of the “outdoor office” at Lake George. He will lead our summer internship program, and supervise an extensive list of park improvement projects this summer. Justin will graduate from Unity College in the field of Conservation Law Enforcement, and we can't wait for his arrival in the Park!
Meet Allison Watson: New Business Advisor in Waterville
We are excited to welcome our newest Business Advisor, Allison Watson, to the Maine SBDC team. Allison will provide business advising to new and existing entrepreneurs and small businesses in Somerset and northern Kennebec Counties.

She comes to the Maine SBDC with a depth and breadth of experience in energy, economic development, education, and healthcare. To learn more about Allison and her experience,   click here



Human Resources Manager
Hammond Lumber Company - Belgrade

Hammond Lumber Company, a family-owned business since 1953, is seeking a Human Resources Manager for our Belgrade office. The HR Manager will be responsible for employee recruitment, screening, interviews, and job placement. He/She will also oversee the new-employee orientation and on-boarding process, and serve as a link between management and employees. The ideal candidate should have an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or the equivalent work experience.

For more information or to apply please click here.
Sales Insurance Agent
Senior Planning Center Inc - Skowhegan

We are looking for an office – sales person. The ideal candidate will have a proven record of sales. This is a very small office focused on Insurance sales, and as such the candidate will need to be comfortable working alone and have a sense of purpose that pushes them to excel. This is a Hourly plus a generous commission structure. Requirements: * Preferred candidate with Maine State Life & Health license, but will train right candidate * 18 years old or older * High School Diploma or equivalent * Prove sales record. * Self driven * Prepared for sudden changes in business priorities * Organized * Willingness to Grow & Learn * Team player who never says that’s not my job * Must Love a Fun work place * Pay to be discussed. 

For more information or to apply please click here.
Family Services Coordinator
Kennebec Valley Community Action Program - Waterville

Partnering with parents of young children through goal-oriented relationships to support parent-child relationship building, health outcomes, financial stability, employment and education pathways, social connections, leadership and advocacy; providing support and family engagement mentoring to multiple classrooms; implementing outreach and recruitment strategies; and supporting families in the enrollment process.

For more information or to apply please click here.

Find Several other job openings at this company here .
Associate Registrar
Thomas College  - Waterville

The Associate Registrar acts as the college’s official custodian/historian of all academic records. The Associate Registrar supervises all registration procedures, manages and ensures the accuracy and integrity of the student information database, and produces statistical reports for internal and external constituencies. The Associate Registrar works with the Chief Academic Officer and School Chairs on course planning and long-term scheduling including class schedules and the academic calendar. The Associate Registrar functions as part of the Academic Affairs team, and supervises office staff, to include the Student Financial Services/Registrar Office Assistant, the Assistant Registrar(s), and any work-study students. The Associate Registrar assists with commencement planning and oversees the publication of the College Catalog.

For more information or to apply please click here





Account Executive
Wireless Zone of Maine - Skowhegan

We are looking for an upbeat person who is willing to travel between the Newport & Skowhegan stores. Account Executive, with commission earn up to $25K-$42K per year! 

Job Requirements:
Prior Sales Experience Preferred 

Knowledge of cellular and/or computer technology Preferred 

Effective Verbal, Written and Interpersonal Skills 

Positive Attitude 

High Energy Level and Self-motivated 

Eagerness to Learn New Devices and Technology 

For more information or to apply please click here.
Scoopers. Part time
Gifford's Ice Cream - Skowhegan

Are you interested in earning extra income or trying something new? Gifford’s Ice Cream is seeking seasonal help for a variety of positions in our plant. This could be the perfect job for someone who already has a job, but wants to test other career opportunities, or just earn a little bit extra each week. Gifford’s is happy to work around any availability. Able to work Full time – GREAT! Able to work Part-time – FABULOUS!

Available positions are open from Now – July 2018.  Don’t  let that scare you. There is a potential for full-time employment after July for the right candidates.

To work in our manufacturing plant, you must be at least 18 years of age.

For more information or to apply please click here.
Customer Service Representative
HP Fairfield - Skowhegan

HP Fairfield, a division of the Alamo Group, has an opening for a Controller in Skowhegan, Maine facility. HP Fairfield services municipalities and contractors throughout New England by helping them improve the safety and condition of roadways, airfields, and public infrastructure through the sale, manufacture and customer installation of specialized work truck and related equipment.

The overall function of this position is to act as a source of information for sales representatives throughout the company, assist with local walk-in customers, and provide support with other office administration tasks for both Operations and Sales.

For more information or to apply please click here .
Multiple Positions
Redington-Fairview General Hospital - Skowhegan

The Mission of Redington-Fairview General Hospital (RFGH) is to develop, provide, and facilitate quality comprehensive, cost-effective health services for the people we serve.

Redington-Fairview General Hospital is an independent community hospital located in Skowhegan, Maine. RFGH has provided quality, comprehensive health services to the residents of Somerset County since 1952. A member of the Maine Hospital Association, RFGH offers inpatient and outpatient services in many specialities, has a network of community-based primary care and pediatric physicians, and provides 24-hour emergency medical services.

For more information or to apply please click here .
If you have a job you want posted, please let us know here
Skowhegan CareerCenter
Competitive Skills Scholarship Program

The Competitive Skills Scholarship helps workers learn new skills and Maine businesses access a qualified workforce to succeed in the changing economy. The program is open to eligible Maine residents with access to post-secondary education – including certificate programs and two- and four-year degrees – training for industry recognized credentials, and support leading to skilled, well-compensated jobs with anticipated high employment demand. Find more here .
For job seekers with questions, you should contact the Skowhegan CareerCenter at 1-800-760-1572 or (207) 474-4908. The Maine Department of Labor provides Equal Opportunity in employment and programs. Auxiliary aid and services are available to individuals with disabilities.
Expand­ing your Busi­ness in the Area:​
For Sale
Located in Norridgewock

Looking for a special opportunity? Start your own business or rent space out. Two separate store fronts on Main Street with high traffic count. Each unit stands along heating & bathroom, large display window for your products. Street parking 4-6 spaces in front of building & public parking lot across the street! Come have a look! This property is listed by Allied Realty, 187 Madison Avenue, Skowhe­gan, Maine 04976. 

For Sale
Located in Skowhegan

Maple syrup operation that includes evaporator, holding tanks, filter system and tubing. Electric stove included along with cut and split wood pile. 20 acres of land, 19 of which are in tree growth. There is quite a bit of hardwood on the property. Snowmobile trail meets up at the back of the property. 12 X 28 building on concrete slab, heated by a wood stove . This property is listed by Whittemore's Real Estate, 108 Water Street, Skowhe­gan, Maine 04976. 

Available  Land
Great Location in Skowhegan

Great house or business lot! (Former site of an old school). 3.04 acres with a small clearing at road and the rest is mostly wooded. Could be used for a business. Well worth a look! Close to Skowhegan and/or Waterville. This property is listed by Whittemore's Real Estate, 108 Water Street, Skowhe­gan, Maine 04976

Available Land
Great Location in Embden

Imagine owning your own private refuge on Sandy Pond. Surround yourself with over 89 acres and 335 feet of sandy shorefront. Not only do you have a waterfront building site but you also have a second building site with water and septic already in. The business possibilities are endless. Take advantage of hunting on your own property or enjoy everything a Maine Pond has to offer. Swimming, Kayaking, fishing or just relax and watch the Loons and Eagles. Embden is a four season paradise with snowmobile trails, white water rafting, golf, summer theater, snow skiing at Sugarloaf all just minutes away. This property is a must see. Let's take a walk. This property is listed by Allied Realty, 187 Madison Avenue, Skowhe­gan, Maine 04976. 

Build to Suit Lease
Hight Properties, LLC
363 & 373 Madison Ave. 1.95 Acres 300’+ Road Frontage.

Close  Proximity to commercial properties: Irving - Dunkin Donuts - Tractor Supply - Burger King - Olympia Sports - Dollar Tree

Call for more information 207-431-2454 207-399-0668. You can also view  here .
Available Rental's 
Dog not gone
15,000 square feet of industrial/commercial space available in Skowhegan. Facility includes loading dock, freight elevator, private offices and bathrooms. Available space is bright and open and encompasses the third floor of an active textile products maker utilizing the first and second floors. The space is wired with 220 and 110 electrical, equipped with compressed air from central air plant, and is wired with high speed data and phone system. Shared services that are available include order fulfillment, materials shipping and receiving, and equipment maintenance. 

Contact Bill Swain of Maine Stitching Specialties at 474-3108, ext 1.
Skowhegan Village Plaza
Join Beauty by Design, Miller Fitness, Pizza Hut, and Family Pet Connection, at the Skowhegan Village Shopping Plaza. Several different options are being offered for retail space. Skowhegan Village Shopping Plaza is located at the intersection of Rt 2 and East Madison Road with a traffic count of over 18,000 cars. This is a highly visible location.This property is listed by DC Rentals 30 Access Highway, Caribou, Maine 04736.If you are interested in renting the space please contact us  here  at the Chamber. 
119 Madison Avenue
Looking for a high traffic location with lots of parking in front, and a grass lawn area in the rear, take a look at the pic and see just a glimpse. The owner is looking for a long term business that will be successful. This would make a great location as a restaurant, a training center, or anything that you can think of. For more information please contact Darryl at 858.6279 or contact us  here   at the Chamber for more. 
347 Madison Avenue (Ledge Room)
FOR RENT/LEASE. Commercial space for rent/lease. Located right on upper Madison Avenue in Skowhegan. Great traffic count/visibility if that is needed. Rent includes water and garbage. Some parking available on north side of building. $650.00 month with 1 year term. Call 207-474-3303 Extension 202.
Counseling and Wellness Center- Office Space Available
River Trail Counseling and Wellness Center, LLC - Skowhegan, ME 04976
Full-time, Part-time

New Counseling and Wellness Center in Skowhegan to open in July 2018. Great location off of Madison Avenue. Easy access to all downtown amenities. Close to restaurants, gas station, cinema, and farmers market.

Details: Spacious parking, ADA compliant, use of shared waiting room, staff kitchen, two bathrooms, and multipurpose room. Rent includes heat, electricity, wi-fi, snow removal, and use of common areas, monthly peer supervision.

Rent varies depending on size of office.

River Trail Counseling and Wellness Center is seeking health care professionals interested in overall wellness to share our space. Building is run by LCSW looking to work with other providers, including psychotherapists, massage therapists, naturopaths, acupuncturists, nutritionists, herbalists, nurse practitioners, integrative health providers, physical therapists, yoga instructors and others.

References, security deposit, and malpractice insurance required. Find more here
Other Information
3 Tips to Getting Your Business Ready for Summer Tourism
The sun is shining, temps are (finally!) warming up, and the black flies are coming (sadly). It's summer in Maine, which means it's also a busy time of year for so many of our small businesses. We are lucky enough to welcome tourists to our beautiful state.  Is your business ready?

Helping to create unique and memorable experiences for summer tourists will improve their trip and increase your sales. A win-win! There is still time to do a few quick and fairly easy refresher steps.  Read more
Dept. of Labor Offers Employers a Course on Hiring Minors in the Workforce
Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Standards is hosting a no-cost course in Augusta and Portland to help employers navigate the waters of hiring Minors in the Workforce. This seminar covers the basics, such as how to apply for a work permit, how many hours can a minor work, and hazards in the work place.

“We must prepare Maine’s next generation of workers, by promoting and encouraging youth to enter the workforce earlier," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "The skills learned through that first job cannot be overstated; from managing their own money, to being dependable and on time, to beginning their quest for a career, there is no better preparation for a lifetime of work than that first job.”   

Two classes are scheduled:

  • May 24, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Dr., Augusta, ME
  • May 31, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Greater Portland CareerCenter, 151 Jetport Blvd., Portland, ME 

Visit the class registration page at  www.safetyworksmaine.gov  or call 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) to register.

The Bureau of Labor Standards is Maine’s regulatory agency overseeing labor and employment law and workplace safety; it provides both consultation and enforcement services. The division promotes and achieves compliance with labor standards to protect and enhance the welfare of Maine’s workforce.

Maine Department of Labor is an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.
Divided Supreme Court rules for businesses over workers
The decision means that firms can require employees to waive their right to collective action. 

The Supreme Court says employers can prohibit their workers from banding together to complain about pay and conditions in the workplace.
The justices ruled 5-4 Monday, with the court’s conservative members in the majority, that businesses can force employees to individually use arbitration to resolve disputes. The outcome is an important victory for business interests.

An estimated 25 million employees work under contracts that prohibit collective action by employees who want to raise claims about some aspect of their employment.
The Trump administration backed the businesses, reversing the position the Obama administration took in favor of employees.
The court’s task was to reconcile federal laws that seemed to point in different directions. On the one hand, New Deal labor laws explicitly gave workers the right to band together. On the other, the older Federal Arbitration Act encourages the use of arbitration, instead of the courts.
Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the majority, said the contracts are valid under the arbitration law. “As a matter of policy these questions are surely debatable. But as a matter of law the answer is clear,” Gorsuch wrote.
In dissent for the court’s liberals, Justice Ruth Bader called the decision “egregiously wrong.” Ginsburg said that the individual complaints can be very small in dollar terms, “scarcely of a size warranting the expense of seeking redress alone.” Ginsburg read a summary of her dissent aloud.
The National Labor Relations Board, breaking with the administration, argued that contracts requiring employees to waive their right to collective action conflict with the labor laws. Business interests were united in favor of the contracts.
Lower courts had split over the issue. The high court considered three cases – two in which appeals courts ruled that such agreements can’t be enforced and a third in which the appeals court said they are valid.
MEREDA Index: Real estate activity reaches record in first quarter
The MEREDA Index, a quarterly measure of real estate activity in Maine, reached a new record through the first quarter of 2018, driven primarily by rising prices in the residential and commercial markets.

The index, a composite measurement of residential and commercial transactions plus new construction, is 100.4. That represents a 2.4% increase since the third quarter of 2017 and 4% over the 12 months since the first quarter of 2017.

The latest index was announced at the Maine Real Estate & Development Association's spring meeting on May 16. The index is a composite of nine seasonally adjusted measures reflecting new development and transactions involving existing properties and covering the commercial and residential markets statewide.

"This is great for the industry, the citizen, the town and cities," Paul Peck, an attorney at Drummond & Drummond who serves as president of the Maine Real Estate and Development Association's board, said at MEREDA's announcement. "It's an exciting time to be in the real estate industry."

In written comments, Peck said Maine's real estate market is led by the commercial sector, with historic highs besting pre-recession performance. There's likely to be continued growth for many months to come, he said, perhaps slowed only slightly by rising interest rates, land prices and construction costs.

Drivers for growth are likely to include Maine's older housing stock and aging populations, with opportunities for new construction and remodeling.

On the commercial side, Peck said, hospitality, medical and industrial real estate activity continue to lead the way, with some office construction starting in cities. However, continued growth is hampered by the lack of trained tradespeople in Maine, he said.

"I'm still bullish on the market," he said in a video presentation at the conference. "We've had slow and steady growth over the last five years, not huge, rocketship growth. Interest rates are up but still historically low, so I expect further growth. There's no reason to believe the real estate sector will not continue to be strong in the new few years." Read more here .
The Path Forward for U.S.-China Trade
The   trade relationship  between the U.S. and China has been in the spotlight in recent weeks. The two countries have an enormous impact on each other’s economies, trading more than $700 billion worth of goods and services every year. Much of that trade benefits small and midsize businesses throughout the U.S.

Amid all the business our nations conduct, there are bound to be  issues of contention and disagreement . This is especially true given the gap between America’s model of free enterprise and China’s model of state capitalism. Nonetheless, it’s important that we agree on a common set of rules for the global economy and international trade—and then live by them. These rules must ensure that both of our economies can compete on a level playing field.

Significant progress must come soon, and it must be visible. China needs to make faster and more serious progress on market reforms and in establishing a transparent, level playing field based on the rule of law. The U.S. has serious concerns regarding a range of Chinese government policies and practices, including restricting access to its market, conditional participation in the market on technology transfer, and other regulatory measures that seek to undermine the value of U.S.-held intellectual property.

By the same token, our government must recognize what the business community knows full well: that an escalating series of  unilateral tariffs  is counterproductive. We don’t think it makes sense to penalize our own workers, consumers, and companies in the name of saving them from unfair competition. The focus must be on opening markets, eliminating subsidies, and ending regulations that are increasingly designed to frustrate competition.
Mutually beneficial commercial deals can and must continue to be  successfully negotiated , even as we confront challenges. Further, American leadership in international economic and security affairs requires us to address these issues with China, and China’s leaders will not shy away from offering their perspectives in return. As the two most powerful nations on earth, we have shared responsibilities to foster global peace, prosperity, and stability. 

The commercial issues before us today are important, and we should take them seriously. But we can work through them—not all of them overnight, but certainly over time. Our goal must be to secure near-term progress on as many of the systemic issues as possible so that we can regain the positive momentum in U.S.-China economic relations. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is ready to help preserve and expand our fruitful commercial links in a system that is open, level, and fair.
Time for Commonsense Immigration Reform
The long-simmering  immigration debate  has erupted in recent weeks into a fierce political fight that could determine the fates of nearly a million people living and working in the U.S. It also has enormous implications for the strength of our workforce, the health of our economy, and the future of legal immigration in America. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is urging our leaders to find common ground on this complex and emotionally charged issue and take steps toward an immigration system that will serve our 21st century economy—not undermine it.

As the first order of business, Congress must act to address the rescission of the  Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program , which currently protects nearly 700,000 young people who were brought here as children through no fault of their own. The March 5 deadline for action on DACA is  rapidly approaching . In addition, well over 200,000  Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries  face deportation, and roughly 30,000 spouses of high-skilled visa holders will have their right to legally work in the U.S. taken away. Altogether, we could lose close to 1 million hardworking individuals from the workforce. Read more here
Small Business Owners Implore Congress to Invest in America’s Infrastructure
Bob Dagostino can see value in things that have been long neglected and fallen into disrepair.

A few years ago, Dagostino, the owner and president of Dagostino Electronic Services, drove by an abandoned, century-old, 27,000-square foot brick schoolhouse in southeast Pittsburgh. His once small company, which has done electrical work for everyone from NASA to the Pittsburgh Steelers, had begun to outgrow its downtown headquarters, so the “for sale” sign in front of the schoolhouse caught his eye. “Why don't we get a renovated space?” his colleague  told him  when the two came back by for a tour of the old building, which had sat vacant for 30 years. “No, this is our headquarters,” Dagostino replied.

Dagostino Electronic Services has since turned the schoolhouse into its vibrant new headquarters, and the company has since expanded to about 100 employees. Now, Dagostino has turned his attention to a far larger scale project that has been similarly neglected for decades, but one that holds no less promise for the future: Our nation’s infrastructure. Read more here
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