Gov. Janet Mills named the first director to lead Maine’s Office of New Americans on Wednesday, marking an important milestone in the launching of a new effort to better track and respond to the arrival of immigrants to Maine.
Tarlan Ahmadov, who currently oversees statewide employment programs at the Maine Department of Labor and who has more than 20 years of experience in employment, immigration, refugee and social services, will begin his new role of director at the Office of New Americans on Jan. 21.
Tarlan Ahmadov. Photo courtesy of the Maine Governor’s Office
“I am honored to lead Maine’s Office of New Americans and grateful to Gov. Mills for the opportunity to advance its mission,” Ahmadov said in a written statement released by the governor’s office. “In this role, I will strengthen workforce integration, support immigrant entrepreneurs, and foster welcoming communities across the state.
“I look forward to collaborating with community leaders, employers, state and municipal agencies, nonprofit, foundations, and other partners to build a stronger, more inclusive Maine where everyone can succeed and contribute to our collective success.”
The Office of New Americans, approved by the Legislature earlier this year, is charged with making Maine a home of opportunity for all, strengthening Maine’s workforce, enhancing the vibrancy of Maine’s communities, and building a stronger economy.
With Maine facing a shortage of workers across regions, professions and skill levels, the state must focus on improving how it connects new Americans to employers, the governor’s office said.
“Tarlan Ahmadov’s deep experience helping new Mainers adjust, step into jobs, and contribute to our state has prepared him well to lead the Office of New Americans,” Mills said in the statement. “Tarlan’s leadership will ensure that our workforce and economy can fully benefit from the valuable skills, knowledge, and work ethic of new Americans who make their home in Maine.”
Ahmadov has worked as director of the Division of Programs at the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Employment Services since 2022, and before that was Maine’s state refugee coordinator with Catholic Charities Maine from March 2017 to July 2022.
He also previously worked in education and the nonprofit sector in Azerbaijan. He has a master’s degree in history and social sciences from Baku State University in Azerbaijan and is pursuing a doctorate in public policy at the University of Southern Maine.
Ahmadov will earn an annual salary of $110,073 in his new role.
Mills signed an executive order in August 2023 directing the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future to come up with a plan to create a state office to assist the growing number of immigrants in Maine.
Rep. Deqa Dhalac, D-South Portland, introduced legislation on behalf of the governor to create the Office of New Americans, and the supplemental budget approved in April funded two positions in the office.
The governor’s plan for the office includes strengthening English-language acquisition opportunities; building support for entrepreneurs and workers; improving coordination of organizations and entities that support immigrants, including communities, schools and employers; working on federal immigration policies to benefit Maine; and improving Maine’s data about its immigrant populations.
With the establishment of the office, Maine became the 19th state in the country to join the Office of New Americans State Network, a consortium of states with dedicated offices or staff for coordinating immigrant integration.
The network, which has since grown to 22 states, is coordinated by a partnership of two organizations, World Education Services and the American Immigration Council, and is expected to help provide Maine with expertise from around the country on developing successful policy approaches related to immigration.
Summertime means packed touring schedules for bands of many musical genres, and plenty of them are making stops in Maine. From ’90s alternative darlings The Breeders to legends like Joe Jackson and Barry Manilow, along with Maine acts 12/OC and The Ghost of Paul Revere, there are many ways to make this a live music summer to remember.
Here are 19 shows to consider between now and early September at some of Maine’s biggest indoor and outdoor venues.
6 p.m. June 16. Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor, $63.75-$159.75. waterfrontconcerts.com.
One of the biggest events of the summer of 2013 was Mumford & Sons bringing their “Gentlemen of the Road Stopover” festival to Portland’s Eastern Prom. This summer, the band will be performing in Bangor, in support of its sixth album “Prizefighter.” Dylan Gossett opens.
8 p.m. June 18. State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland, $49.50 in advance, $55 day of show. statetheatreportland.com.
Alternative rock darlings The Breeders is sisters Kim and Kelley Deal, Josephine Wiggs and Jim MacPherson. Since 1990, the band has released five albums and gone through several hiatuses while members were involved with other projects. Most notable is their 1993 release “Last Splash,” home to quintessential ’90s tune “Cannonball.”
7:30 p.m. June 20. Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor, $85.25-$223.95. waterfrontconcerts.com.
Jelly Roll is the professional name of Jason Bradley DeFord. Popular songs by the country, rock and hip-hop singer-songwriter include “Need a Favor” and “Son of a Sinner.” Jelly Roll won a 2024 Best Contemporary County Album Grammy for “Beautifully Broken.” His Little Ass Shed Tour pulls into Bangor with blues, country, rock and folk artist Kashus Culpepper opening the show.
7 p.m. June 21. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $62 in advance, $70 day of show. statetheatreportland.com.
Chicago-based rock band Wilco has played in Maine many times through the decades, and the next show is an outdoor one. Fronted by Jeff Tweedy, Wilco also features bassist John Stirratt, who owns a home in the Midcoast. With 13 albums of material to choose from, the show should satisfy new fans and longtime ones.
7 p.m. July 3. Cross Insurance Arena, Portland, $77-$385. crossarenaportland.com.
Pop singer Barry Manilow’s final concert in Portland is one of the crown jewels of the summer, after being rescheduled from April 19 because Manilow was ill. With classic songs like “Mandy,” “I Write the Songs,” “Can’t Smile Without You” and “Copacabana (At the Copa),” the legacy artist will likely draw a huge crowd as he takes his final bow in Maine.
8 p.m. July 11. State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland, $55.50-$99.50. statetheatreportland.com.
British singer, songwriter and pianist Joe Jackson released the album “Hope and Fury,” his 20th, in April. The Grammy winner’s discography dates back to the 1979 debut album “Look Sharp!,” home to Jackson staples “Sunday Papers,” “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” and “Fools in Love.” His piano chops are as impressive as his vocals, so you expect a first-rate show from Jackson and his band.
6 p.m. July 11. The Bowl in the Pines at Snow Pond Center for the Arts, 1 Geranium Lane, Sidney, $70-$153. snowpond.org.
Alison Krauss & Union Station have been in the forefront of bluegrass and roots music for more than 40 years. With a show that will include songs from their latest album, “Arcadia,” you can look forward to a fantastic performance from the multiple Grammy winners. The band includes Krauss (fiddle, vocals), Jerry Douglas (Dobro, lap steel), Ron Block (banjo, guitar, vocals), Barry Bales (bass, vocals) and Russell Moore (guitar, mandolin, vocals). Theo Lawrence opens the show.
6:30 p.m. July 18. The Bowl in the Pines at Snow Pond Center for the Arts, 1 Geranium Lane, Sidney, $27.76. snowpond.org.
This on-the-rise Maine country band was founded by Portland brothers Will and Reid Nichols, who started playing gigs when they were 10 and 13. 12 O/C has been building a loyal following in Maine for several years and moved to Nashville about two years ago. The show is a benefit for the Travis Mills Foundation, with Kelsey Hart opening.
7:30 p.m. July 19. Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor, $56.75-$213.45. waterfrontconcerts.com.
No one writes and sings pop parodies quite like Weird Al Yankovic. The Grammy winner has been at it for more than 45 years, and has sold more than 12 million albums. Hits include parodies of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” (“Eat It”) in 1984, Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” (“Like a Surgeon”) in 1985 and Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (“Smells Like Nirvana”) in 1992. Yankovic’s “Bigger & Weirder” show will kick off with Puddles Pity Party, a sad clown character who sings covers.
6:30 p.m. July 21. The Bowl in the Pines at Snow Pond Center for the Arts, Sidney, $63.43-$120.06. snowpond.org.
For a summer night full of rock, funk, soul, jazz, blues, hip-hop and Caribbean-influenced music, head to Sidney for Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Shorty is the pride of New Orleans and his shows are both celebratory and musically tremendous. JJ Grey & Mofro will open the show.
6:45 p.m. July 23. Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor, $35-$233.50. waterfrontconcerts.com.
Relive the heyday of ’80s pop music with a trio of acts who know how to pack a Top 40 punch. Toto will have you scream-singing along to “Africa,” Christopher Cross will remind you that the canvas can do miracles with “Sailing,” and the Romantics will have you jumping up and down with “What I Like About You.” All three have multiple hits, so plan on a highly entertaining and nostalgic night of music.
7:30 p.m. Aug. 1. Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland, $75-$110. porttix.com.
Herbie Hancock, 86, has been a huge presence in modern jazz, funk, electronic music, rock and other genres for his entire career. It’s no wonder he’s won 14 Grammys, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. You may recall Hancock’s 1983 instrumental hit “Rockit,” and his 2007 release “River: The Joni Letters” with its lush piano interpretations of Joni Mitchell’s songs like “Both Sides Now” and “Sweet Bird.”
4 p.m. Aug. 8 & 9. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $70, $40 kids, $130 adult two-day pass, $30 kids two-day pass. statetheatreportland.com.
This will be the eighth year that the rock band Guster, featuring Cape Elizabeth singer and guitarist Adam Gardner, has made Portland the home of its summer festival. The Merrill Auditorium show on Aug. 7 with the Portland Symphony Orchestra is long sold out, but there are still tickets to two big outdoor shows at Thompson’s Point. The lineup features Iron & Wine, Watchhouse, The Barr Brothers, Neal Francis, Eggy, Dave Butler & Friends, Bebe Stockwell, Khatumu and Cilla Bonnie.
7:30 p.m. Aug. 11. Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor, $44.50-$181.50. waterfrontconcerts.com.
British rocker Billy Idol will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with the ceremony taking place in Los Angeles in November. Before that happens, he’ll be on a huge tour that includes a show in Bangor. Sing along with hits like “White Wedding,” “Eyes Without a Face,” “Dancing With Myself” and “Rebel Yell,” among others.
7 p.m. Aug. 13. Cross Insurance Arena, Portland, $85-$497. crossarenaportland.com.
Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile’s latest record is “Returning To Myself.” The Human Tour, named for its second track, swings through Portland in August. Since 2005, Carlile has released nine studio albums, including a collaboration with Elton John, and has won 11 Grammy Awards. Some of Carlile’s best known songs include “The Story,” “Hold Out Your Hand” and “The Joke.”
7 p.m. Aug. 25. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $53 in advance, $61 day of show. statetheatreportland.com.
Indigo Girls is the folk duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, known for their vocal harmonies, songwriting and musicianship. The show will feature sing-alongs of Indigo Girls’ signature songs like “Closer to Fine,” “Galileo” and if we’re lucky, “Kid Fears.”
7 p.m. Sept. 6. Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor, $65.20-$304.70. waterfrontconcerts.com.
Texas rock band ZZ Top’s hits include “Legs,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’” and “Sharp Dressed Man.” The band continues to play righteous shows after losing original Dusty Hill, bassist, in 2021. “The Big One!” tour features opening act George Thorogood & The Destroyers. Be ready to belt out “Bad to the Bone.” B-b-b-bad!
5 p.m. Sept. 6. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $55 in advance, $65 day of show, free for kids 3 and under. statetheatreportland.com.
Take part in a festival that’s a reunion for one of Maine’s best-loved bands. The Ghost of Paul Revere, started by childhood friends Griffin William Sherry, Sean McCarthy and Max Davis from Buxton and Hollis, were together for more than a decade and toured nationally before breaking up in 2022. The band hosted its own annual festival, Ghostland, usually at Thompson’s Point. They’ll play this year’s Thompson’s Point show with Futurebirds, Weakened Friends and Mikaela Davis.
7 p.m. Sept. 9. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $75 in advance, $85 day of show. statetheatreportland.com.
With a devoted following, dance-punk act LCD Soundsystem is led by James Murphy. Popular tracks include “Dance Yrself Clean” and “Daft Punk Is Playing at My House.” They called it quits in 2011, then rebooted in 2016. They’ve released five albums, starting with their breakthrough self-titled 2005 release.
This story was originally published by the Maine Trust for Local News. Aimsel Ponti can be reached at aponti@pressherald.com.
PORTLAND, Maine (WGME) — While the statewide moratorium on data center development was vetoed by Governor Mills, local communities across the state are now taking matters into their own hands, with some passing their own pauses.
At least four southern Maine cities and towns, including Scarborough, Sanford, and Westbrook have all implemented local data center moratoriums in recent weeks.
It comes as new polling show most Mainers opposed the construction of these facilities.
That poll, conducted by UMass Lowell and released last week, shows 72% of Mainers don’t want a data center built in their community, including 51% who strongly opposed it.
Just 28% said they would support that type of development.
The results mirror what’s being seen across the country.
According to a poll released Friday by Reuters, only 14% of Americans said they felt comfortable with a data center being built nearby.
77% said they worried AI-driven data centers would raise their electricity costs.
Those are concerns lawmakers here in Maine say cross the political spectrum.
“Red states, blue states, purple states are having this conversation, and people just want to have some answers about what this technology means, what this development opportunity means,” Rep. Melanie Sachs said.
Maine currently has a data center advisory council studying the potential impact large-scale data center development could have on the state’s energy grid and resources.
They’re expected to release a final report in January.
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