Maine
Construction worker shortage holds back storm rebuilding on Maine’s coast
This story first appeared in the Midcoast Update, a newsletter published every Tuesday and Friday morning. Sign up here to receive stories about the midcoast delivered to your inbox each week, along with our other newsletters.
It’s never been simple to get repairs and expansions done on Maine’s coastal properties. Owners must work with a handful of firms that specialize in marine construction to get their projects designed, permitted and built.
But those projects got even harder this year, after a handful of storms last winter did widespread damage across the state. Some of the heaviest destruction was along the coast, where two storms in January tore out many docks and wharves while severely eroding parts of the shoreline.
That created a big backlog for companies like Prock Marine of Rockland. While it previously took the firm 10 to 14 months to complete projects such as dock rebuilds and shoreline stabilization, the timeline roughly doubled — to between 18 months and two years — as repairs from last winter’s storms came in, according to project manager Sean Kelly.
The company could eventually shorten that timeline by expanding its staff of 35 to 40 people. But construction firms such as Prock have had a hard time filling positions even as its more experienced staff approach retirement.
“We’d love to put together another crew, another barge crew, but it’s hard to maintain what we’ve got,” Kelly said.
By now, it’s well understood that Maine needs more workers to replace those who are aging out of vital industries such as construction and other trades. But state officials recently singled out marine construction as one that’s most in need of new workers if Maine’s lucrative working waterfronts are to be ready for storms that are growing more severe with climate change.
“Increased contractor capacity, particularly in marine construction and the engineering, planning, and permitting components of these projects, will be critical,” according to the new four-year climate action plan released this month by the administration of Gov. Janet Mills
The report calls for studying the recent storms and working with industries, organizations and community colleges to expand the number of builders who can do coastal construction. More broadly, it calls for creating opportunities for 7,000 new registered apprentices to serve as the state’s “climate-ready workforce” by 2030 and increasing the number of women working in construction, among other steps.
As it stands, there are few firms that coastal property owners can look to when they are trying to rebuild from storms, according to Linda Nelson, economic and community development director in the fishing port of Stonington, where the busy local lobster co-op suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage in January.
“There is Prock Marine and there is Prock Marine, pretty much, and if you can get Prock Marine, if you have a job that’s big enough and lucrative to get on their schedule, great,” said Nelson, who also is co-chair of a state commission that’s studying how to make Maine’s infrastructure more resilient against similar storms.
But, Nelson went on, Maine will need more “human and financial resources” to quickly repair roads, docks, bridges and other infrastructure that are essential to Maine’s peninsula and island communities in the wake of severe storms. There’s also the broader challenge of rebuilding that infrastructure so that it’s higher and more protected from future damage.
There are several things that make marine construction more laborious than traditional land-based projects, including additional permitting requirements, the need to work off barges, and the difficulty of ensuring that structures will sit level on the ocean floor while withstanding tides, corrosion and other forces.
At Prock Marine, Kelly said there is no “silver bullet” to bringing in more workers, but he welcomes the efforts of the state and private organizations to create more of a pipeline for young Mainers to join the trades. He is now working with the state Labor Department to start the company’s own apprenticeship program.
He’s hopeful that more students coming up through the state’s schools will see the value of receiving vocational training and entering the trades, particularly at an established company where they can receive ongoing training and mentorship as well as a full set of benefits.
“Now the trick is to get the people who are interested to walk through the door to fill out an application,” he said.
Maine
Hidden Gem Maine Japanese Restaurant Serves Sushi, Appetizers on Huge Wooden Boats
How far would you be willing to travel for delicious food or a unique experience? What about both?
There’s a restaurant in Lincoln, Maine, called Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express that you might want to consider visiting.
This small eatery specializes in express-style Japanese dining, boasting a 4.7/5 on Google, but it’s the visually mesmerizing and delicious super-sized sushi and appetizer platter boats that truly stand out.
Sushi Boat at Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express in Lincoln, Maine
Sure, Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express has a variety of foods to choose from when you’re feeling hungry, and there’s even some Chinese and Thai options as well.
But there’s something about ordering a meal that comes served up on a large wooden boat that sets the tone for a truly one-of-a-kind meal.
The Lincoln restaurant has that in both its sushi boat and Tokyo boat.
Let’s just say they are a feast for the eyes and mouth.
Looking at Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express’ menu highlights its sushi boat options, either for one or two, at $86 or $99, respectively. So go big or go home, right?
When Did Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express Open in Lincoln, Maine?
Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express is a relatively new venture, having opened in 2024 in Lincoln.
Right from its grand debut, the restaurant noted on its Facebook page that from “savory Hibachi and Teriyaki to Bento boxes and Sushi, every dish is crafted with fresh ingredients and mouthwatering flavors that will have you coming back for more.”
Not only was there a positive response from the outset, but that excitement for the restaurant has continued today, especially with the incredibly fun boat service loaded with food.
Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express
Here’s just a few recent reviews:
“Great food, friendly service fair prices! Worth the 70 mile round trip! Will be seeing us again!”
“The portions are very generous, the food was very tasty and all ingredients were fresh and well prepared.”
“The man that was there running things and cooking was SO friendly and helpful and hospitable. He kept bringing things out for us to try and talked to us and treated us like family.”
READ MORE: Hit Up All 5 Maine Restaurants Featured on Guy Fieri’s ‘Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives’ for the Ultimate Road Trip
At the end of the day, you could order a normal plate of sushi, or you could go all in and get a super boat of it. Sounds like a drive to this hidden gem location for a special meal seems like an adventure worth setting sail for.
Hungry for some sushi?
40 Maine Restaurants That are Worth a Long Drive to Get to
Thanks to our great listeners we were able to compile a list of many of Maine’s great restaurants, cafes, pubs and bakeries that are worth a long drive to get to.
These great spots can be found across the state and waiting for you to give them a try.
How many have you been to?
Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka
These Are 14 Must-Visit Hidden Gem Destinations in Maine
Gallery Credit: Megan
Maine
Maine Senate advances ‘right to repair’ electronics bill
AUGUSTA, Maine (WGME) — The Maine Senate is advancing a “right to repair” electronics bill.
The legislation aims to lower repair costs and reduce electronic waste by forcing manufacturers to share parts and repair tools with the public.
The bill faces more votes in the house and senate.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
Ten states have already passed electronic “right to repair” laws.
Maine
NMCC Nursing Program Ranked No. 2 in Maine for 2025
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (WAGM) -Northern Maine Community College’s registered nursing program has been ranked No. 2 in Maine for 2025 by NursingExplorer.com, a national education resource that evaluates nursing programs based on graduate success on licensure examinations.
The NMCC program earned the recognition with a 96.60% weighted average pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses over the past three years, placing the college among the top-performing nursing programs in the state. The ranking comes as demand for qualified nurses remains strong across Maine, particularly in rural and northern communities.
“These results demonstrate the dedication of our students, faculty and clinical partners who work together to ensure graduates are prepared for the realities of today’s health care environment,” said Andrew Gagnon, RN, MSN, CCRN, NR-P, CHSE, department chair of nursing, EMS and allied health at Northern Maine Community College. “We are proud to see our program recognized for its consistent quality as we continue preparing nurses to serve communities across Aroostook County and throughout Maine.”
Maine is home to approximately 15 nursing education programs, with most concentrated in southern and central population centers such as Portland, Lewiston, Bangor and Augusta. This distribution can create access challenges for students in more rural regions, making northern training opportunities especially important for local workforce development.
“Northern Maine Community College is proud to provide nursing education that meets the highest standards while remaining accessible to students in northern Maine,” said Doug Binsfeld, Ed.D., president of Northern Maine Community College. “Our graduates make a meaningful impact in rural communities and are equally prepared to pursue opportunities in larger health care settings across the state.”
Employment prospects for nurses in Maine remain favorable, driven by an aging population and ongoing workforce shortages. Maine’s participation in the Nurse Licensure Compact also allows licensed nurses to practice in more than 30 participating states, expanding career mobility and professional opportunities for graduates.
According to NursingExplorer.com, rankings are based on NCLEX pass-rate data collected over a three-year period. Results are weighted by the number of test takers in each cohort, with additional emphasis placed on more recent outcomes to reflect current program performance.
Copyright 2026 WAGM. All rights reserved.
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