Maine

Outgoing chamber CEO on how Maine’s economy shifted in his 29-year tenure

Published

2 years ago

December 21, 2022

Outgoing chamber CEO on how Maine’s economy shifted in his 29-year tenure

Since Dana Connors grew to become CEO and president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce in 1994, the state has seen 4 recessions, a greater than doubling of the inflation fee, 5 governors, a quadrupling of the median residence worth and a sevenfold enhance in staff aged 65 and older.

Connors, 79, is about to retire early subsequent yr after 29 years heading the chamber, the key advocacy group for Maine companies. He began his profession as metropolis supervisor of his native Presque Isle, a place he held for 16 years. He was then Maine’s transportation commissioner for 11 years.

He was instrumental in launching a number of applications to advertise Maine companies, together with serving to begin Maine & Co., a nonprofit that helps companies relocate to Maine or broaden right here, and the Maine Know-how Institute, which helps fund startup and rising firms. Not too long ago, he served on the committee that helped develop insurance policies to stabilize Maine’s economic system from the COVID-19 pandemic’s results.

Connors lately talked to the Bangor Each day Information about how the enterprise setting has modified since he took workplace and what challenges lie forward. The interview has been edited for readability and brevity.

What was the enterprise setting like while you grew to become head of the chamber in 1994?

Connors: The Nineteen Nineties have been an vital time. We started them with a Gulf Warfare recession. Iraq had invaded Kuwait inflicting international oil costs to virtually double. So the ’90s have been set in movement with some extent of concern. However the 10 years have been a time of great financial progress when it comes to jobs, decrease inflation and a few productiveness will increase.

A cutout of former U.S. Sen. Margaret Chase Smith occupies a seat subsequent to seventh grader Hailey Rousseau whereas she works on a laptop computer on the Bruce M. Whittier Center College, Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, in Poland. Credit score: Robert F. Bukaty / AP

There was a really fast technological change happening and the dot-com digital economic system emerged. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 opened up competitors. Verizon and the Public Utilities Fee got here up with a program to supply web to all of our libraries and colleges. Then-Gov. Angus King had a program to supply laptops to seventh and eighth graders. The Maine Know-how Institute additionally was created and has grown into a really important participant in our economic system.

The worldwide economic system was rising and we weren’t competing essentially with a state subsequent door. King introduced collectively the varied entities and created the Maine Worldwide Commerce Heart. So that you noticed some constructive issues actually take form.

Was there a workforce scarcity in Maine within the Nineteen Nineties?

Connors: We had some appreciable progress in our inhabitants and workforce within the ’80s due to girls, however within the ’90s, we began to see the inhabitants progress actually decelerate. We grew to become keenly conscious that we have been changing into an getting older inhabitants. Our births have been on the decline. We grew to become generally known as the oldest state primarily based upon median age within the mid ’90s. We grew to become conscious of the influence it will have on the workforce. In the present day, it’s grown bigger and tougher for Maine’s economic system.

How can workforce shortages be addressed now?

Connors: There are two issues that unite all folks in Maine no matter the place they stay and their politics: They need a robust economic system and so they need to deal with the wants of their folks, significantly their younger folks. They need them to succeed in their highest potential and have good, stable jobs.

The important thing to that’s an training system that brings the enterprise group and educators collectively. I feel we’re in a superb place as a result of we acknowledge the worth of what training brings to the success of the person in addition to the economic system.

Katie Pulk receives congratulations from co-workers and household in a drive-by celebration on Wednesday, Could 6, 2020, for successful an award for her work at John F. Murphy Properties in Auburn. The supplier is considered one of many being challenged by workforce shortages. Credit score: Andree Kehn / Solar Journal through AP

How did the COVID-19 pandemic have an effect on efforts to construct up the workforce?

Connors: We misplaced lots of people who could have tried to retire due to the pandemic for one purpose or one other, however we additionally misplaced folks due to childcare. Quite a few households have two working mother and father, and a type of would possibly want to remain residence. Our workforce problem grew to become even worse and at present there are only a few examples of the place employee scarcity just isn’t a excessive precedence that persons are attending to deal with.

However the good that got here from it’s that it introduced a rise in inhabitants, and never all in the identical inhabitants facilities however all through the state. Maine is called a protected place that’s dedicated to serving its folks.

We’ve additionally seen the position of the immigrant. The issue at present is it takes perpetually to get a piece allow. And till Congress does one thing we’re dropping folks and expertise. Nationally, between 2000 and 2050 some 83 p.c of our workforce progress will come from immigrants and immigrant households. It will not be that prime in Maine, nevertheless it does inform in regards to the position that the immigrant performs in our future.

You’ve advocated for a tech-driven economic system. Has that occurred in Maine?

Connors: I definitely suppose so. The aim of the Maine Know-how Institute is to put money into innovation for a greater economic system, to stimulate progress in tech-intensive firms and simply final week the Roux Institute’s Techstar Accelerator program had startups display their initiatives. Roux has been an amazing asset to our state. Final week, it partnered with MaineHealth and Northern Gentle Well being to put money into well being tech innovators.

One factor that I learn lately and discover fascinating is that almost all of jobs that will likely be created within the subsequent 10 years don’t exist at present or people who exist will likely be reworked by know-how. If you happen to don’t consider within the worth of know-how, then you might be actually lacking out on the alternatives that include serving your economic system.

Are there any achievements you might be particularly pleased with throughout your 29 years on the chamber?

Connors: I’m pleased with strengthening the voice of the state chamber each in what we’ve got carried out but additionally in the best way we’ve carried out it. We’ve at all times positioned an accent on partnerships. Whenever you strategy a coverage, my principle is comply with the coverage and don’t get immersed within the politics of it. Some of the priceless issues is your relationships.

Do you may have any predictions for what the economic system and enterprise would possibly appear to be going into 2023?

Connors: I feel that it seems promising. There are plenty of investments happening. We’ve seen that on the Loring Commerce Centre, Sappi and the previous Nice Northern mill. Funding is the important thing ingredient to a rising economic system and expresses confidence. It’s a key to its survival. It’s a key to its success.

There’s additionally a really particular attribute that comes from laborious work, experiencing setbacks, expertise and struggles. With it comes a pleasure that expresses itself within the type of super preservation, resilience and ingenuity. That’s a profile of Maine folks. That’s a profile of Maine’s enterprise group each within the Nineteen Nineties, now and sooner or later.

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Maine

The secret plan to save Maine’s iconic red hot dogs after federal dye ban

Published

5 hours ago

January 16, 2025

Press Room

The secret plan to save Maine’s iconic red hot dogs after federal dye ban

Maine’s last red snapper maker is changing the recipe for its iconic hot dogs after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned a key dye the company uses to give the sausages their distinctive color.

The FDA is banning the use of red dye No. 3 in foods, drinks and medications. The synthetic dye is often used to give products a bright, cherry-red color and was linked more than 30 years ago to cancer in animals.

In November 2022, roughly two dozen advocacy organizations and individuals filed a petition to ban the dye, according to the FDA.

W.A. Bean & Sons, the lone remaining Maine-based company that makes the bright hot dogs often called “red snappers,” uses red dye No. 3 along with red dye No. 40 and yellow dye No. 6, according to the package.

The company expected the FDA to eventually ban the ingredient, said Sean Smith, W.A. Bean & Sons’ sales director. Because of this, the business has been exploring ways to make red snappers without the artificial additive while keeping the color and taste identical, Smith said.

“We’ve done test batches already and we expect to have something ready very soon,” Smith said. “We’ve survived multiple world wars and depressions and our red hot dogs aren’t going anywhere.”

Smith declined to share further details on how the secret recipe for red hot dogs will change.

The FDA’s ban comes at a time when W.A. Bean & Sons is seeing sales of the iconic red snappers soar. The company now makes an estimated 650,000 to 700,000 pounds of red dogs annually, compared with the 400,000 pounds they made a decade ago, Smith previously told the Bangor Daily News.

The hot dogs are often called “red snappers” due to the thick casing that gives the sausages their distinctive “snap” when you bite into them. The product has joined the ranks of blueberries, lobster and whoopie pies as an iconic Maine food, despite other states having hot dogs with a similar hue or snappy consistency.

Food manufacturers have until Jan. 15, 2027, to stop using red dye No. 3 in products while drug manufacturers have until Jan. 18, 2028, according to the FDA. Other countries that allow the ingredient will have to comply with FDA rules if products are imported to the U.S.

W.A. Bean & Sons’ foresight is good news for Simones’ Hot Dog Stand in Lewiston, where red snappers have been a top-selling item throughout its 117-year history, according to owner Jim Simones.

“We’ve been in business since 1908 and we’re synonymous with the red dogs,” Simones said. “We sell beef dogs too, but red dogs are the most popular.”

When tourists stumble upon red hot dogs at Simones’ stand, they often question what gives them their glaring reddish-pink color. But, once customers try them, they usually find they like the sausages, Simones said.

“I tell them they’re just like our lobsters — when we put them in boiling water, they turn red,” Simones said.

Simones was pleased to hear W.A. Bean & Sons is finalizing a red hot dog recipe that doesn’t use the outlawed dye but will keep the product’s color the same.

“It’s unique to Maine,” he said of the snappers. “You can’t lose that red.”

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Maine

Members of Maine delegation welcome Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement

Published

13 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Members of Maine delegation welcome Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement

Members of Maine’s congressional delegation welcomed news of a ceasefire agreement in the Israel-Hamas war Wednesday, saying it’s a good first step that will bring hostages home and end the conflict, at least temporarily.

President Joe Biden and other officials announced Wednesday that the two sides have reached a 42-day agreement that includes the release of hostages and Israeli forces withdrawing from more populated areas in Gaza.

The agreement, which is not finalized, is likely to offer respite from a conflict that began in October 2023 and has resulted in the deaths of an estimated 47,000 Palestinians and 2,000 Israelis.

“Today’s ceasefire and hostage agreement is a welcome announcement. … While there is much about the agreement and the future that we do not yet know, what we do know is that the tragedy of October 7 can never be allowed to occur again,” Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said, emphasizing her support for Israel in the statement emailed by her office.

Rep. Jared Golden, D-2nd District, said in a statement Wednesday that the first stage of the agreement calls for an immediate ceasefire, a surge of aid to Gaza and the release of 33 women, children and elderly currently held hostage by Hamas.

Golden said those are all “good first steps.”

“I look forward to the implementation of a final agreement that ensures that all remaining hostages are returned home to their families and that Hamas lays down the weapons it took up when it started this conflict,” he said. “If Hamas abides by the terms of such an agreement, I believe there can be a path towards a more lasting peace in the region.”

Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, also was relieved to hear of the agreement.

“This could not have been achieved without tireless diplomatic efforts to bring both parties to the table, and I am grateful the Biden Administration got this agreement across the finish line before leaving office,” Pingree said in a statement.

“There is still a lot of uncertainty; the Israeli Cabinet needs to approve the deal, hostages need to be released, and humanitarian aid needs to pour into Gaza. I remain cautiously optimistic, but this is a promising step forward.”

This story will be updated.

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Maine

Texas man pleads guilty to stealing $400K from vacationing Maine couple

Published

21 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Texas man pleads guilty to stealing 0K from vacationing Maine couple

A Texas man has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $400,000 from a Maine couple while they were on vacation.

Kyle Lawless Pollar, 27, entered his plea to four counts of wire fraud Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Bangor, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

In August 2022, Pollar called the couple’s bank pretending to be the account holder and requested the account’s balance and updated the contact phone number, the U.S. attorney’s office said Tuesday. Shortly after, Pollar changed the contact email address as well.

Over a two-week period, Pollar made several transfers from the couple’s home equity line of credit to their savings account. Pollar then made four wire transfers totalling $360,880 to a Texas bank account in his name, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

Pollar transferred $66,000 from one transfer to a jeweler, also in Texas.

The U.S. attorney’s office said that Pollar withdrew funds from his account in cash and cashier’s checks. He then deposited the cashier’s checks in other Texas bank accounts in his name.

He was captured on security camera making deposits and withdrawals, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

The couple discovered the theft when they returned from vacation and couldn’t log into their bank account. When the bank reset their username and password, they found multiple wire transfers on their statement.

The FBI began investigating in October 2022.

Pollar faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 for each of the four counts of wire fraud, as well as up to three years of supervised release. He also will be ordered to pay restitution to the victims.

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