October 23, 2014 - Maine State Chamber of Commerce

Transcription

October 23, 2014
Annual Dinner, Gubernatorial Forum
and Awards Ceremony a huge success
On Wednesday, October 15 the
Maine State Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2014 Annual Dinner and Awards
Ceremony, and its fifth gubernatorial
forum, at the Augusta Civic Center.
Nearly 600 people attended the evening’s
events. Photos from the event appear on
pages
11-17
and
online
at
http://www.mainechamber.org/photoalbum.php?ID=12.
The evening began with the “Taste of
Maine” reception (see page 12) featuring
culinary specialties from several Maine
vendors including Backyard Farms,
Bixby & Co., La Bella Vita at the
Samoset Resort, Ducktrap River of
Maine, Penobscot McCrum, and State of
Maine Cheese Co. Maine micro-brews
were provided by Shipyard Brewing Co.,
Belfast Bay Brewing Co. and Baxter
Brewing. Wine and vodka were provided
by Cellardoor Winery, Twenty 2 Vodka,
and Cold River Vodka.
Maine State Chamber president Dana
Connors welcomed the attendees, including a number of college students from
Kaplan University, Thomas College, the
University of Maine at Orono, the
University of Southern Maine and the
Continued on Page 11...
Inside Impact...
A message from the president...
Annual Dinner . . . . . . p. 1, 11-17
Best Places to Work . . . . . . p. 18
Bond Issue Information . . p. 3-7
Business Day 2015 . . . . . . . . p. 8
Business Excellence . . . . . p. 19
“Take time to vote,
encourage employees
to vote as well…”
Disability Employment Awareness . . p. 20
E2 Tech Council . . . . . . . . . p. 22
by Dana Connors
Education Report . . . . . . . . . p. 9
Financial Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . p. 6
Health Care Forum . . . . p. 18, 24
IT Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 8
Just Good News . . . . . . . . . p. 21
USPS Ownership Statement p. 23
Vol. 48, No. 18 Impact
(207) 623-4568
Impact (ISSN 1055-3029) is published weekly
January through June and monthly July through
December by the Maine State Chamber of
Commerce, 125 Community Dr., Suite 101,
Augusta, Maine 04330-8010. Periodicals postage
paid at Augusta, Maine, and additional mailing
offices. Maine State Chamber member companies
are assessed $75.00 yearly for each newsletter subscription (subscribers or out-of-dues assessement).
POSTMASTER:
Please send any address
changes to Impact, 125 Community Dr., Suite 101,
Augusta, Maine 04330-8010.
Chairman of the Board of Directors:
Melinda Poore
President: Dana F. Connors
Information in this newsletter is intended to provide
guidance, not legal advice. Since exact language and
definitions of key terms are critical to understanding the
requirements of legislation, rules or laws, we encourage
you to read each carefully. Articles and information
contained in this newsletter may be reprinted with attribution given to: Maine State Chamber of Commerce.
Please address comments to Melanie Baillargeon,
director of communications. Information about the
Maine State Chamber of Commerce may also be
viewed on the Internet at: www.mainechamber.org. Our
email address is [email protected].
About the Maine State Chamber of
Commerce: Since 1889, the Maine State Chamber
has been fighting to lower your cost of doing business.
Through our Grassroots Action Network and OneVoice
program, we work with a network of approximately 5,000
companies statewide who see the value in such a service
and provide the financial support that keeps our access,
advocacy, and assistance efforts going strong. As
Maine's Chamber, we make sure that the business environment of the state continues to thrive. The Maine State
Chamber of Commerce advocates on behalf of their interests before the legislature and regulatory agencies and
through conferences, seminars, and affiliated programs.
2 III Impact III 10/23/2014
Another election day is just days away! I would like to remind you to take time
to vote, and to encourage your employees to cast their ballots as well. On November
4, Mainer’s will be asked to consider the bond package. One of the true bright spots
of the second session of the 126th Legislature was the bipartisan nature in which it
worked and ultimately approved a six-part bond package totaling $50 million to
appear on the November 2014 ballot. I’d like to take this last opportunity to provide you with information about the six bond issue questions – please take the time
to read about each one of them in detail on pages 3 through 7.
This bond package once again presents Mainers with opportunities for economic investments. Investing in our economy is crucial, and as a state, we have always
taken a responsible and deliberative approach to bonding. This year is no different.
The six part bond package includes:
Ÿ
A $12 million bond for small-business financial aid through the
Finance Authority of Maine to fund two established programs that provide start-up and expansion capital to small businesses (see page 4);
Ÿ
A $10 million bond to fund a competitive grant program for the development of a biometric research facility (see page 5);
Ÿ
A $10 million bond to fund various water initiatives, including the construction of culverts to aid fish passage, clean-water systems and conservation work (see page 7);
Ÿ
An $8 million bond to fund efforts by the University of Maine
Cooperative Extension to assist farmers and forestry (see page 3);
Ÿ
A $7 million bond to fund competitive grants to boost the state’s marine
economy, including lobster and seafood processing (see page 7); and,
Ÿ
A $3 million bond to fund biotechnology workforce training and drug
research and development (see page 6).
As you can see, this package looks at investments into Maine’s infrastructure
through our water treatment plants, investment into our economy through capital to
small businesses start ups, direct impact to the support of Jackson Lab’s research
facility, and investment into our natural resources-based economy. From the Maine
State Chamber’s perspective, the $50 million represents a responsible investment,
and we look forward to the conversation with the citizens of Maine to explain how
these investments will positively impact the state’s economy. 
For the most current information, visit www.mainechamber.org
Question 2 will improve Maine’s natural
resource and agricultural industries
Question 2: Do you favor an $8,000,000 bond issue to support Maine agriculture, facilitate economic growth in natural resources-based industries and monitor human health threats related to
ticks, mosquitoes and bedbugs through the creation of an animal and plant disease and insect
control laboratory administered by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service?
On Tuesday, November 4, Mainers
will have a great opportunity to improve
our state’s natural resource and agricultural industries. Question 2 will ask: “Do
you favor an $8,000,000 bond issue to
support Maine agriculture, facilitate economic growth in natural resources-based
industries and monitor human health
threats related to ticks, mosquitoes and
bedbugs through the creation of an animal
and plant disease and insect control laboratory administered by the University of
Maine Cooperative Extension Service?”
I’m voting “Yes” and I wanted to
take a moment to tell you why. The proposed lab is an important investment in
Maine’s economy, food safety and public
health. The new lab will combine animal, plant, and insect research that will
allow University faculty and staff to better protect our state’s agricultural economy and human health.
We hope our neighbors throughout
Maine will join our diverse and growing
coalition in voting “Yes” on Question 2: the
Agricultural Council of Maine; the Maine
Dairy Industry Association; the Maine
Farm Bureau Association; the Maine
Medical Association; the Maine Organic
Farmers and Gardeners Association; the
Sportsmen’s Alliance of Maine; the Maine
State Chamber of Commerce; the Maine
Veterinary Health Association; and, the
Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine.
Maine has the largest and most diverse
agricultural economy in New England, and
our food-based economy is enjoying rapid
growth. The University of Maine
Cooperative Extension has been part of that
growth, providing critical information to
businesses, farms, and communities for
100 years. However, current facilities are
antiquated and inadequate to keep up with
the demand for modern testing to protect
the health of livestock, crops and monitor
threats to humans.
The Extension consistently creates
economic value for the Maine economy.
For example, the Extension’s efforts save
the Maine potato industry nearly $12 million annually, while its positive impact on
the dairy, sheep and poultry industries is
$18 million. The proposed lab would
expand on these savings through
enhanced pest monitoring, management
of animal health issues and plant-disease
forecasting, which Maine’s farmers have
come to rely on.
A new lab will also benefit our public health. As we know, Maine’s tick
population continues to increase and
expand its range. The result is an
increase in the incidence of Lyme disease
and other tick-borne illnesses.
The mosquito-borne West Nile Virus
and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) are
also routinely showing up in Maine. The
Extension operates the only tick identification program in the state, but the current lab
is dated and doesn’t have the 21st century
resources needed to test ticks for diseases.
The new lab will allow the Extension to
offer in-state disease testing of ticks and
enable a comprehensive mosquito monitoring and disease awareness program.
Protecting the health of Maine’s
wildlife, farms and the health and safety
of our families and communities is an
important mission of the Extension. To
ensure Maine’s ability to compete in a
constantly changing market and to safeguard public health, Question 2 is a critical investment for Maine. Please join me
in voting ‘Yes’ on November 4. 
10/23/2014 III Impact III 3
A “Yes” vote on Question 3 supports small business growth,
job creation across Maine
Ballot question authorizes bond to fund Regional Economic Development
Revolving Loan and Commercial Loan Insurance Programs
Question 3: Do you favor a bond issue to provide $4,000,000 in funds to
insure portions of loans to small businesses to spur investment and innovation
and to provide $8,000,000 in funds to make flexible loans to small businesses
to create jobs, revitalize downtowns, and strengthen the rural economy?
From Maine’s renewed downtowns
to its working waterfronts to its rural
commercial centers, business leaders
across the state who champion small business growth and job creation are lending
their support to ballot Question 3.
Voting “Yes” on Question 3 will
authorize a bond that will continue funding
two existing and successful state programs: providing $8 million to the
Regional
Economic
Development
Revolving Loan Program (REDRLP) and
$4 million to the companion Commercial
Loan Insurance (CLI) program. Since
REDRLP was created by the Legislature
in 1993, 772 revolving loans of $16.2 million have been disbursed, helping to create
and retain about 10,500 jobs in total. They
have provided Maine’s small business
owners access to flexible capital, which is
helping to spur the kind of investment and
innovation that is revitalizing downtowns
and strengthening the rural economy.
Small and micro businesses—from
Tilton’s Market in Buckfield to Seafax in
Cumberland to Molnlycke in Wiscasset to
Three Rivers Whitewater in The Forks—
have benefitted from the financing available through REDRLP and CLI. In 2001
Seafax, the leading provider of business
information for the food industry in North
America, received a REDRLP loan
through CEI so that owners could purchase a business in turmoil, turn it around,
and keep 55 jobs in Maine. Since then, the
company has tripled in revenue, grown its
staff to 85, and paid off its loan in full.
The program has also been instrumental in resurrecting small community centers
like Tilton’s Market in Buckfield which
closed after 75 years in business. Through
a loan made by Community Concepts, a
new owner was able to purchase and
remodel the store, re-opening what residents called the “heart” of the town.
Three Rivers Whitewater benefitted
By Carla Dickstein for Mainers for Small Business
from the CLI program, which provided
insurance on the business’ two mortgages, enabling them to get the loan they
needed to grow during the last 17 years.
Question 3 has support from the following businesses leaders and economic development agencies across the state, each of
which has had first-hand experience with the
benefits that come from the programs funded in Question 3. They are Aroostook
Partnership for Progress; CEI; City of
Presque Isle; Community Concepts Inc.;
Eastern Maine Development Corporation;
Economic Development Corporation;
Envision Maine; Gov. John Baldacci;
GrowSmart Maine; Jeanne Hulit; Kennebec
Valley Council of Governments; Maine
Bankers Association; Maine Chamber of
Commerce; Maine Community Action
Association; Maine Innkeepers Association;
Maine
Mayors
Coalition;
Maine
Preservation;
Maine
Real
Estate
Development Association (MEREDA);
Maine Tourism Association; MaineStream
Finance; Midcoast Council of Governments;
Mobilize Maine; Northern Forest Center;
Northern Maine Development Commission;
Town of Lubec; Washington Hancock
Community Agency; and, Yellow Light
Breen, Bangor Savings Bank.
To learn more about how voting Yes
on Question 3 will help create new jobs in
your community and grow small business
like us on Facebook. 
Business success
is measured in
degrees.
If you want to succeed in business, you want a master’s degree that’s in
demand – and we have them, from data analytics and IT to marketing
and project management. Whether you choose online or at one of our
centers, you’ll find them affordably priced and flexible. But the best part?
You’ll have the constant support of the finest team of admission counselors
and academic and career advisors anywhere. Or to put it another way:
You won’t find a university more committed to your success.
866.860.0449
|
snhu.edu/mainechamber
Brunswick | Lewiston-Auburn
See Yourself Succeed
Maine voters have a unique opportunity this fall to
fight cancer and create high-paying jobs in Maine
Question 4: Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue, to be awarded through a competitive
process and to be matched by $11,000,000 in private and other funds, to build a research center
and to discover genetic solutions for cancer and the diseases of aging, to promote job growth and
private sector investment in this State, to attract and retain young professionals and make the
State a global leader in genomic medicine?
Question 4 on the November 4 ballot
that would house state-of-the-art imaging,
will ask voters whether the state should
neurocognitive, metabolomics and physi-
issue $10 million in bonds to build a
ologic sensing technologies. The new
research center where Maine scientists
center will combine technicians, technol-
would research new solutions to cancer
ogy and operational capacity in a way that
and other deadly diseases.
has not previously been possible in
The Jackson Laboratory wants to use
Maine. The center’s technical expertise,
those funds to build a sophisticated
cutting-edge equipment and scale of oper-
Center for Biometric Analysis on its cam-
ation will ensure that even the most sub-
pus in Bar Harbor. Researchers at the
tle signs, or biomarkers, of disease could
center would use JAX mice to detect and
be detected and measured.
measure the precise biological changes
The center will bring several scientif-
that accompany disease and that predict
ic and economic benefits to Maine. It will
response to medical interventions.
make the state a global resource for pre-
This facility is critical to the Lab’s
cision medicine, advance personalized
future success; it will help their efforts to
treatments for disease, build on previous
discover the genetic origins of cancer and
state investments, solidify JAX’s Maine
other deadly diseases, leading to better pre-
presence, create construction jobs for
vention, diagnosis and treatment. In addi-
Maine residents, and bring additional
tion, it will create new, high-paying jobs,
grant money and revenues into the state.
including positions for young professionals
The Laboratory’s total impact on the
who otherwise might leave the state.
If the bond issue passes, the $10 mil-
Maine economy in 2013 was $380 million, and they expect it to grow to $500
lion will be awarded through a competitive
million by 2020.
The Center for
application process. The Laboratory is
Biometric Analysis will contribute signif-
considered a top contender for the award
icantly toward that growth.
because it has the required scientific and
You can support the bond referen-
technical expertise, and is prepared to
dum by voting “yes” on Question 4 and
invest an additional $11 million, building
encouraging your friends and family to
and equipping the new research center.
vote.
The Laboratory envisions building a
Maine is Open for Business! Reach
out to DECD’s Governor’s Account
Executives. We’re here to help your
business succeed. We’ll work with
you to identify your goals, overcome
challenges, and bring the right
people and resources to the table.
Together . . . We’ll make it happen!
CALL TODAY 1-800-872-3838
to connect with a member
of our team!
www.maine.gov/decd
We care deeply
about where we
live and work
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So we are committed to investing in
public education, health & wellness,
and arts & culture throughout
Maine. And as a member of the
Chamber of Commerce, we are
proud to support the 2014 Annual
Meeting & Gubernatorial Debate.
For more information visit the
website http://VoteYes4ME.org. 
four-story, 16,000-square-foot facility
© 2014 Unum Group. All rights reserved. Unum is a registered
trademark and marketing brand of Unum Group and its insuring
subsidiaries. NS14-370
Question 5 aims
to build Maine’s
workforce, economy
Question 5: Do you favor a $3,000,000 bond
issue, to be awarded through a competitive
process and to be matched by $5,700,000 in
private and public funds, to modernize and
expand infrastructure in a biological laboratory
specializing in tissue repair and regeneration
located in the State in order to increase biotechnology workforce training, retain and recruit to
the State multiple biomedical research and
development groups and create a drug discovery and development facility that will improve
human health and stimulate biotechnology job
growth and economic activity?
Maine’s traditional economy is
declining rapidly. Three of our paper
mills have closed in 2014 alone. Our
workforce is aging rapidly and our children are leaving. One out of five Mainers
between the ages of 18 and 34 has moved
away in the past 20 years to pursue
careers not available to them here.
Maine’s economy must be modernized.
Question 5 will help Maine build a 21st
century science- and technology-based economy. The $3 million bond will be awarded
competitively and will be matched by $5.7
million in private and federal funds. If
passed, Question 5 will allow institutions
like the MDI Biological Laboratory to
expand workforce training, biomedical
R&D and drug discovery programs.
Located in Bar Harbor, the MDI
Biological Laboratory is an independent,
nonprofit biomedical research and education institution. During the last 12 years,
we have provided more than 2,000 students from across Maine with the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
they need to compete for 21st century science- and technology-based jobs.
We lead a unique partnership of 13
Maine research and education institutions
that spans the state from Fort Kent to
South Portland. This partnership has
greatly expanded the state’s biomedical
R&D capacity and has brought more than
$100 million in federal funding to Maine.
Biomedical R&D at the MDI
Biological Laboratory focuses on regenerative medicine, one of the foundations
National groups look to increase
awareness of financial fraud
In an effort to increase awareness around the ever increasing instances of
financial fraud in our society, representatives of the National Center for Victims
of Crime and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) held a halfday seminar in Augusta on Friday, October 24, to help educate law enforcement
officials, public advocates, government officials and employers on recognizing,
preventing and assisting victims of these crimes.
Susan Arthur, manager of the Investor Protection Program at FINRA, told the
audience that, incidences of various types of financial fraud have increased 50%
since 2008, and result in more than $50 billion lost to fraud. There are more than
30 million victims of fraud each year, and the majority of those victims are likely
to be over the age of 65 and approaching or in retirement.
According to Jane Lee, director of the Financial Crime Resource Center at the
National Center for Victims of Crime, the types of financial fraud most frequently perpetrated on individuals include identification theft (Social Security number
theft), investment fraud (stocks, bonds, real estate or commodities), mortgage or
leading fraud (homebuyers/lenders falsifying information to get loans) and mass
marketing fraud (false promises of cash, good or services in exchange for cash).
Lee said that those most frequently victimized include seniors, the physically
impaired, those with cognitive issues or age related incapacity, individuals grieving the loss of a loved one, victims of domestic violence, near retirees or past victims of financial fraud.
The purpose of the seminar was to point out the increasing frequency of this
type of crime, the profile of the most likely victims, the fact that even the most
astute consumer can fall prey to these types of schemes, and most importantly, to
be aware of the signs of potential fraudulent activities among the service population—or even your own family and co-workers.
For additional information or questions, interested parties should contact the
National Center for Victims of Crime online at www.victimsofcrime.org or by
calling (202) 467-8749, or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority online at
www.SaveAndInvest.org/FraudCenter. 
of 21st century medical practice. Our scientists and students define how tissues
repair and regenerate after disease- and
trauma-induced injury and loss. Their
ultimate goal is to develop new lifesaving
treatments for many of Maine’s most
serious and expensive health problems,
such as heart disease, diabetes,
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
In
February 2013, two of our scientists
launched Novo Biosciences, Inc. to more
rapidly advance one of our drug discoveries into a potential new treatment for
patients who have suffered a heart attack.
The MDI Biological Laboratory has a
proven and strong track record in leveraging state bond funds. From 2001 to 2007,
we received $5.7 million in bond funding
from the Maine Biomedical Research
Fund. That investment allowed us to create
over 55 new high paying jobs and to bring
$106 million in federal grants to Maine, a
19:1 return on the state’s investment.
If funded, Question 5 will allow the
MDI Biological Laboratory to construct a
3,000 square foot training lab that will
expand our workforce training programs
and be used to train an estimated 800 Maine
students over the next five years. It will also
allow us to recruit and retain multiple scientists and expand our drug discovery efforts.
At $3 million, Question 5 is the
smallest of the bond questions, but it will
have a powerful impact on Maine’s ability to build a dynamic economy and retain
its young people. We can no longer rely
solely on what worked yesterday to sustain us in the future. If Maine is going to
thrive, we must expand our science and
technology sector and create the highly
skilled workforce needed to attract 21st
century industries to Maine. 
Vote Yes on 6 to protect clean water
and create 1,000 clean water jobs
Question 6: Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue to ensure clean water and safe communities across Maine; to protect drinking water sources; to restore wetlands; to create jobs and vital
public infrastructure; and to strengthen the State’s long-term economic base and competitive
advantage?
There are many issues dividing
Mainers as the November 4th election
nears. However, a “Yes on 6” supports
clean water and clean water jobs for Maine
and has earned the strong backing from
Republicans, Democrats, Independents,
business leaders, contractors, sportsmen
and women, municipal leaders, economic
development professionals and environmentalists from every region of the state.
A “Yes on 6” is good for Maine’s economy, good for Maine’s bottom line and
good for Maine’s environment.
Passed
with
support
from
Republicans, Democrats and Independents
by a margin of 126-19 in the House and
30-2 in the Senate, a “Yes on 6” supports
clean water and clean water jobs by allowing a $10 million investment in badly
needed infrastructure improvements in
communities across Maine. Funds will be
split between investments in:
Ÿ
Built Infrastructure: $5.4 million to
upgrade stream crossings to reconnect habitat for fish and other
wildlife;
Ÿ
Natural Infrastructure: $400k to
restore wetlands to provide increased
flood mitigation, water quality and
wildlife habitat benefits; and,
Ÿ
Maine’s Revolving Loan Fund:
$4.2 million to secure $21 million in
federal funding to upgrade the state’s
drinking water systems and wastewater treatment facilities.
Good for Maine’s Economy…
“Yes on 6” enjoys the backing of the
Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the
Associated General Contractors (AGC) of
Maine, GrowSmart Maine, and the
Northern
Maine
Development
Commission. According to an analysis by
AGC, if the measure passes on November
4th, Maine’s economy will create or sustain
1,000 jobs; add $119 million to Maine’s
Gross Domestic Product (GDP); and, add
$38.5 million to personal earnings.
Good for Maine’s Bottom Line…
“Yes on 6” enjoys the backing of
Republicans, Democrats and Independents
who have studied Maine’s existing water
infrastructure as well as Maine municipal
leaders, civil engineers and urban and
rural water officials.
Ÿ
A “Yes on 6” will bring $21 million
in federal matching funds. A “no”
vote on Question 6 would mark the
first time in history Maine failed to
collect its share of these funds.
Ÿ
Much of Maine’s water infrastructure is World War II era or even
100 years old. There is no question
that it will have to be upgraded and
improved in the years ahead.
Ÿ
A recent study by the Portland Water
District found investments like the
ones in Question 6 can save taxpayers money. Waiting to address water
infrastructure needs can cost 2.5
times more later.
Good for Maine’s Environment…
“Yes on 6” would create tremendous
benefits for Maine’s environment and its
fish, game and wildlife. It enjoys the
backing of the Sportsman’s Alliance of
Maine, The Nature Conservancy, Maine
Audubon, the Environmental Priorities
Coalition and numerous other conservation and land trust organizations. If the
measure passes on November 4th, it helps
protect clean drinking water; upgrades
storm water systems to prevent sewage
overflow into rivers, streams and coastal
waterways; restores natural habitat so
Maine’s fish, game and wildlife can
thrive; and, protects Maine’s quality of
place – and its recreation and tourism
economy – for future generations. 
Question 7 seeks
to strengthen
Maine’s marine
economy
Question 7: Do you favor a $7,000,000 bond
issue to facilitate the growth of marine businesses and commercial enterprises that create
jobs and improve the sustainability of the
State’s marine economy and related industries
through capital investments, to be matched by
at least $7,000,000 in private and other funds?”
In November, Maine voters will have
the chance to strengthen our marine economy through a $7 million bond. Marine
stakeholders and business leaders across
Maine are working together to ensure
Maine voters support a bond authorized
by the Maine Legislature to fund competitive grants to boost the states marine
economy by voting yes on Question 7.
Thanks to the vision of a bipartisan
group of Legislators and many stakeholders invested in the future of Maine’s
marine economy, the bond will focus on
joining Maine’s marine research expertise
with working families and fisherman, sustainable aquaculture interests and seafood
processors, shippers, marketers and consumers that will help facilitate commercial
sector growth. This strategic investment
will guarantee that we can maximize our
greatest resources—our coast and our
hardworking, innovative Maine people.
With funds from the bond, we have
the opportunity to bring Maine’s diverse
fisheries, fish processors, and marine
research institutions together. From our
lobstermen to our students studying
marine sciences at the University of New
England, all of us win when Maine’s
marine economy is thriving.
The prosperity of our marine economy underpins the future success of in our
state. Maine’s marine economy accounts
for about 36,000 jobs and more than $500
million in annual economic activity, and
we know it has the potential to grow even
more. We hope you vote “Yes” on
Question 7 to ensure that Maine’s marine
economy continues to grow. 
New IT training opportunities available at Maine’s Community Colleges
A $13 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor is enabling Maine’s seven community colleges to expand dramatically the courses and programs they offer in Information Technology. The grant is also providing new workforce training opportunities for employers across
the state along with access to state-of-the-art equipment, software, and facilities for training purposes.
The initiative, known as Maine is IT!, is designed to address the growing need for skilled information technology workers across the state
and across many industries. It is projected to serve nearly 2,100 participants through dozens of new or expanded programs—both credit and noncredit—at the seven colleges.
Maine is IT! provides new pathways and multiple entry points for those interested in accessing in-demand IT programs, courses, and industry-recognized certifications. Among the new offerings: two-year associate degree programs in network security/computer forensics, information security, and information systems integration; one-year certificates in web development and network administration; and short-term training in everything from CompTIA and Microsoft certifications to PC repair to Linux operating systems.
The initiative is also enabling the community colleges to strengthen and expand its system of prior learning assessment so that incumbent
workers and others are better able to earn college credit for relevant life and work experiences.
More information about Maine is IT! can be found on the Maine Community College System’s website (www.mccs.me.edu/Maine-is-IT),
including a list of courses and programs being offered this year. Information about prior learning assessment and the Maine is IT! offerings at
specific colleges is available from the following individuals:
Ÿ
Central Maine Community College (Auburn): Emily Butterfield ([email protected]; (207) 755-5375);
Ÿ
Eastern Maine Community College (Bangor): Tim Conroy ([email protected]; (207) 974-4638) or Stacy Green ([email protected];
(207) 974-4679);
Ÿ
Kennebec Valley Community College (Fairfield and Hinckley): Carrie Dionne ([email protected]; (207) 453-5815) or Alex
Clifford ([email protected]; (207) 453-5159);
Ÿ
Northern Maine Community College (Presque Isle): Carole Belanger-Bittle ([email protected]; (207) 760-1125) or Shawn Lahey
([email protected]; (207) 760-1124);
Ÿ
Southern Maine Community College (South Portland and Brunswick): Katharine Lualdi ([email protected]; (207) 741-5893) or
Thomas W. Nickerson, MSW ([email protected]; (207) 741-5691);
Ÿ
Washington County Community College (Calais): Mary-Ann Urquhart ([email protected]; (207) 454-1092) or David Sousa
([email protected]; (207) 454-1003); or,
Ÿ
York County Community College (Wells): Danielle Ebbrecht ([email protected], 207-216-4324). 
w Thursday, May 14, 2015 w 8:00 a.m. to Noon w
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Business Day at the
Statehouse on Thursday, May 14, 2015, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Hall of
Flags (Statehouse, Second Floor).
For more information or to RSVP, please contact Linda Caprara, director of grassroots advocacy, by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 106, or by emailing
[email protected]. With your participation, the “Voice of Maine Business”
will resonate throughout Augusta!
U.S. Chamber Foundation report gives Maine strong marks on education
“Leaders & Laggards Report Card” assesses state education systems nationwide
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Foundation, an affiliate of the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce, recently released
the fourth edition of its Leaders & Laggards
series, A State-by-State Report Card on
K–12 Educational Effectiveness. The
report, developed in collaboration with the
American Enterprise Institute, evaluates
educational effectiveness in 11 categories:
academic achievement; academic achievement for low-income and minority students;
return on investment; truth in advertising:
student proficiency; postsecondary and
workforce readiness; 21st century teaching
force; parental options; data quality; technology; international competitiveness; and,
fiscal responsibility.
The report gives Maine strong marks
for academic achievement, academic
achievement for low-income and minori-
ty students, and postsecondary and workforce readiness, among others.
“In a 21st century global economy, it
is imperative that all students receive the
high-quality education necessary to open
the doors of opportunity and put them on
the road to lifelong success,” said U.S.
Chamber of Commerce Foundation
President John McKernan Jr. “As a former governor, I’m pleased to see that
Maine is making progress. It’s important
to continue the momentum to ensure
Maine students will be competitive for
the jobs of today and tomorrow.”
The Leaders & Laggards report
shows that student performance in Maine
is above average. Fourth graders stand 5%
above the national average of students proficient in math, and 22 students out of 100
pass an AP exam. Maine also earns a solid
made
2014 Progress
since 2007
MAINE
Academic Achievement
Academic Achievement for Low-Income and Minority Students
B
B
Return on Investment
Truth in Advertising: Student Proficiency
Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness
21st Century Teaching Force
Parental Options
Data Quality
Technology
International Competitiveness
Fiscal Responsibility
B
BA
CB
A
D+
B
A
Academic Achievement
21st Century Teaching Force
Relative to other states, student performance in Maine is
above average. Fourth graders stand 5% above the national
average of 42% in the percentage at or above the proficient
level on the NAEP math exam.
Maine does a mediocre job of creating a strong teacher
workforce. The Pine Tree State largely fails to identify
effective teachers and remove ineffective ones, but it is
middling at retaining effective teachers.
Academic Achievement for Low-Income and
Minority Students
Parental Options
Maine earns a solid grade on academic achievement for
low-income and minority students. Thirty-two percent of
low-income 4th graders score at or above the proficient
level on the NAEP math exam. The national average is 25%.
Because the state does not have a large enough Hispanic
student population to meet NAEP sampling requirements,
Maine’s grade is based solely on low-income and AfricanAmerican students.
Return on Investment
Student achievement in Maine is high relative to state
spending after controlling for cost of living.
Truth in Advertising: Student Proficiency
Maine posts above average marks on the credibility of
its student proficiency scores. The grade is based on the
difference between the percentage of students identified as
proficient in reading and math on the 2011 state exams and
the percentage identified as proficient on the 2011 NAEP
reading and math tests.
Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness
Maine earns a very high grade preparing its students for
college and careers. Eighty-seven percent of 9th graders
receive a diploma in four years, and 22 students out of 100
pass an AP exam.
Maine does a good job providing parents with strong school
choice options. It has a very strong charter school law that
permits a variety of providers, as well as a small school
choice program.
Data Quality
Maine earns an excellent grade collecting and reporting
high-quality education data. It funded and built a
longitudinal data system, and it provides parents with data
to track their children’s academic progress.
Technology
Maine receives a poor grade employing technology to provide
quality instruction and personalized learning. Students have
some access to high-quality digital learning options, but the
state could continue to improve how it assesses and funds
providers.
International Competitiveness
Maine earns a high grade preparing its students to compete
in a global economy. Thirty-six percent of students
are proficient in reading and math compared with an
international standard. Almost 12 students out of 100 pass
an AP STEM exam.
Fiscal Responsibility
Maine receives very high marks on fiscal responsibility.
Seventy-nine percent of its pension is funded, and the
state’s most recent pension contribution was 100%.
C
NA
grade on academic achievement for lowincome and minority students with 32% of
low-income 4th graders scoring proficient
in math. The state also earns a high grade
in preparing its students to compete in a
global economy as 35% of students scored
proficient in reading and math compared
with an international standard. However,
Maine ranks lower on creating a strong
teacher workforce, and lags when it comes
to employing technology to provide
instruction and personalized learning.
The U.S. Chamber is urging policymakers, the business community, and educators to craft a reform agenda that demands
high academic standards, promotes transparency, provides options for families, and
offers every child a high-quality education.
To view Maine’s report card, please visit
www.leadersandlaggards.org/reportcard/maine. To view the report, visit the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Leaders & Laggards website at www.leadersandlaggards.org/. 
Meetings, Receptions,
Conferences, Banquets
and more!
The Augusta Civic Center is within an hour
and a half drive for more than 75% of
Maine's population and is conveniently
located immediately off I-95. We are a
full service facility with a 25,000 square
foot auditorium, 23 flexible meeting
rooms, including 2 ballrooms, and a full
kitchen and food service staff on site. With
over 41 years experience in conventions,
trade shows, conferences and banquets, we
stand ready to serve you!
Augusta Civic Center
Community Dr., Augusta, ME 04330
For information, please call
(207) 626-2405 or visit us at
www.augustaciviccenter.org
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(Continued from Page 1...)
University of New England. In his welcoming remarks, Connors highlighted the
Chamber’s InternHelpME program,
which works with all of Maine’s colleges
and universities, as well as our state’s
employers, to provide our young people
with internship opportunities in an effort
to grow our future workforce.
The gubernatorial forum, moderated
by WCSH 6 anchor Pat Callaghan, was
the highlight of the evening. The lively
and informative forum featured all three
Maine candidates for governor –
Republican Governor Paul LePage,
Democratic Congressman Mike Michaud
and Independent Eliot Cutler. The forum
was broadcast live on WCSH 6 and
WLBZ 2 to their statewide audience.
Following the gubernatorial forum,
the State Chamber held its annual awards
ceremony, this year honoring Peter Vigue
of Cianbro with the prestigious Alton
“Chuck” Cianchette Business Hall of
Fame Award. Charles “Chip” Morrison
of the Androscoggin County Chamber of
Commerce and Peter Thompson of the
Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce
were honored with the President’s
Recognition Award. Christopher Fogg of
the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce
was named the Chamber Executive of the
Year, and the Chamber Volunteer of the
Year Award was presented to Dale
Bouton for his work with the Greater
Freeport Chamber of Commerce. Three
companies—Cross Insurance, Eimskip
and Molnlycke Health Care—were presented with Investor Awards. More information appears on page 15.
Connors concluded the event by
thanking this year’s event sponsors:
Premier sponsor Kaplan University;
Cornerstone
sponsors
American
Chemistry Council; CIANBRO; Preti
Flaherty, LLP, and Unum; as well as
Time Warner Cable, MEMIC and
Walmart. A complete list of sponsors
appears on page 14. 
We want to extend
a special “thank you”
to our Taste of Maine
reception vendors!
These vendors graciously donated
their time and product. Please support
these local vendors throughout the year!
From the Sea:
Ÿ
La Bella Vita at The Samoset
Resort (www.samosetresort.com)
celebrates that passion for the good
life and good food. As they do in
Italy, we use only the freshest ingredients - with an emphasis on gardengrown vegetables and healthy olive
oil - to prepare the same wonderfully
flavourful centuries old dishes the
Italians are famous for. You don't
have to live in Italy to live like an
Italian. Just experience La Bella Vita
and you'll enjoy the passion for the
good life. And you can start living
the good life by sampling our famous
Lobster Corn Chowder featuring
Maine’s prize lobster, roasted corn,
farm fresh cream and our own special
seasonings.
Ÿ
Ducktrap
River
of
Maine
(www.ducktrap.com) is a leader in
the smoked seafood industry. Since
1978 we have kept our focus on being
a leader by maintaining strict adherence to the highest standards of quality, service, and value. Our full line
of smoked seafood is produced all
naturally with no artificial ingredients
or preservatives. We have perfected
ideal recipes for smoking seafood in
Taste of Maine Reception...
small batches at our smokehouse in
Belfast.
Our Sweet Treats:
Ÿ
Bixby & Co. (www.bixbyco.com) is
an innovative chocolate bar manufacturer based in Belfast. Producing
BIXBY BARS in six unique flavors
that combine organic, sustainably
sourced chocolate with nuts, dried
fruits and spices, Bixby & Co. creates healthy and nutritious chocolate
options that are Certified Gluten
Free, Verified Vegan options (3),
Kosher and Non-GMO. A 100%
certified Woman’s Owned and
YouthTrade Certified business.
From our Farms:
Ÿ
Backyard Farms (www.Backyard
F a r m s . c o m ;
www.facebook.com/BackyardFarms) located in Madison,
Maine, grows fresh, ripened-on-thevine tomatoes year round in 42 acres
of greenhouse growing space. The
company has based its business on
the principles of growing the best
tomatoes possible, taking care of its
employees, and giving back to local
communities.
Backyard Farms
tomatoes are left on the vine to ripen
until they’re red and are shipped
within just a day of harvest to local
markets, creating a tomato that is
sweet and bursting with flavor.
Ÿ
Penobscot McCrum (www.penobscotmccrum.com) and the McCrum
family represents five generations of
potato farmers who began in the
northern Maine town of Mars Hill.
As dedicated stewards of the land,
the McCrums take great pride in
their family’s longtime commitment
to integrity, sustainability and the
highest quality standards. Today, the
McCrum family enterprise spans the
2014 A N N U A L A W A R D S D I N N E R :
Gubernatorial Forum
PREMIER
SPONSOR
CORNERSTONE SPONSORS
American Chemistry Council CIANBRO
Preti Flaherty, LLP Unum
CHAIRMAN’S RECEPTION SPONSOR
SENIOR SPONSORS
Time Warner Cable
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
in Maine
Bangor Savings Bank
Maine Department of Economic
& Community Development
Unitil Corp.
AWARDS SPONSOR
Walmart
WELCOME RECEPTION SPONSOR
MEMIC
CORPORATE SPONSORS
AT&T Wireless; Burns & McDonnell; Dead River Company; Emera Maine; First Choice Printing,
Inc.; Hannaford Supermarkets; Headlight Audio Visual, Inc.; IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.;
Maine Street Solutions; MaineHealth; Martin’s Point Health Care; Mercy Health System of
Maine; Pierce Atwood LLP; Procter & Gamble-Tambrands; Southern New Hampshire
University; Summit Natural Gas of Maine, Inc.; University of New England; Verrill Dana, LLP
CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS
Altria Client Services, Inc.; Casella Waste Systems; Central Maine Power Company; Corning, Inc.;
Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems; FairPoint Communications; L.L. Bean, Inc.; Maine Chamber Group Trust;
McCain Foods USA, Inc.; Oxford Casino; Plum Creek Timber Company; The Jackson Laboratory;
The Sheridan Corporation; Verizon Wireless
2014 Awards
and Honors
Chamber Volunteer
of the Year
Chamber Executive
of the Year
President’s Awards
The Chamber Volunteer of the
Year award honors an individual who is
actively dedicated to the vitality of their
local chamber. This year’s recipient is
Dale Bouton, CEO of Winter People, a
family-run image marketing company
located in Freeport.
The Chamber Executive of the
Year recognizes a local chamber executive’s hard work and dedication on efforts
such as economic development initiatives, successful events, and an improved
bottom line, as well as demonstrated
involvement in collaborative ventures in
support of local / regional chambers and
its communities. This year’s recipient is
Chris Fogg, executive director of the Bar
Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
The Maine State Chamber was
pleased to present this year’s President’s
Award to two members of the “chamber
family” for their commitment each has
made and the legacy both have created for
their chamber, their community, the
region and our state. Charles “Chip”
Morrison serves as president of the
Androscoggin County Chamber of
Commerce, and Peter Thompson is
president and CEO of the Kennebec
Valley Chamber of Commerce. Together
they have served 45 years as the chief
executive officers for their respective
chambers. While the length of service in
and of itself is really quite extraordinary,
and reason enough to warrant this award,
it’s the service in those years that marks
the excellence of their careers and why
we chose to honor them this evening.
Three Maine Investor Awards were
also presented in recognition of outstanding contributions by Maine businesses to
the growth of their companies, their community, and our state: Cross Insurance,
Eimskip, and Molnlycke.
Each year, the Maine State Chamber
proudly presents its Maine Business Hall
Taste of Maine Reception...
entire state, specializing in every
aspect of potatoes. This vertical integration allows the McCrum family to
monitor quality from field to table,
ensuring that the highest standards
are met every step along the way.
Our focus is on creating and delivering the highest quality, highest performing frozen potato specialty products available. Penobscot McCrum is
a market leader in several potato specialty product categories. We are
recognized by our customers as a
gold standard setter and valued advisor for potato specialties.
Maine Investor Award:
Cross Insurance
Our Entrepreneurial
Crafts:
Ÿ
Maine Cheese from State of Maine
Cheese Co. (www.cheese-me.com)
in Rockport makes handcrafted natural cheeses, such as various
Cheddars,
Monterey
Jack,
Caerphilly, Gouda, and Fresh
Mozzarella. Our cows’ milk comes
from Springdale Farm in Waldo,
Maine. State of Maine Cheese Co. is
a member of the Maine Cheese
Guild; their mission is to support and
encourage the Maine cheese making
community throughout the state.
Eimskip
Micro-brews and
Fine Wines:
Ÿ
Baxter Brewing:
www.baxterbrewing.com
Ÿ
Belfast Bay Brewing Co.:
www.belfastbaybrewing.com
Ÿ
Shipyard Brewing, Co.:
www.shipyard.com
Ÿ
Cellardoor Winery:
www.mainewine.com 
Mӧlnlycke
Cianchette Business
Hall of Fame Award
Awards and Honors...
of Fame award named in remembrance of
Chuck Cianchette. The honor is bestowed
upon a person who reflect his values. The
Alton “Chuck” Cianchette Business
Hall of Fame award recognizes the contributions of an individual who demonstrates public service leadership, business
success, and most importantly, embodies
his spirit through compassion, courage,
and commitment. The 2014 Cianchette
Business Hall of Fame award was presented to Peter Vigue of Cianbro. 
The posting of the colors was executed by the Maine Public Safety Pipe
and Drum Corps. Our National Anthem
was performed by Morgan Wellman, a
junior at Cony High School in Augusta.
The music for the evening was performed by Sam Schuth, violinist from
USM School of Music.
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CHMBR_AD_11/13
CHMBR_AD_11/1
3
The ninth annual
“Best Places to Work
in Maine” announces
the #1 companies
in the state
On Thursday, October 9, Edward Jones
based in Belfast was ranked as the number
one “Best Places to Work in Maine” in the
large company category. Patriot Subaru,
located in Saco, took the same honor in the
medium category, and first place in the small
company category was presented to
TruChoice Federal Credit Union, based in
South Portland. The Society for Human
Resource Management’s (SHRM) Maine
State Council’s awards and recognition dinner held last night at the Holiday Inn by the
Bay in Portland where it announced the top
10 companies in each category to a packed
house of more than 500 people.
Administered by the Best Companies
Group, the assessment process evaluated
each company’s employee policies and procedures, as well as responses from the company’s employees to a survey. In August,
the Best Companies Group released its list
of the 70 companies that made the cut as the
overall Best Places to Work. The program
marks the most recent step in a long-term
initiative to encourage growth and excellence throughout all Maine companies.
The rankings for all 70 companies
that made the “2014 Best Places to Work
in Maine” list are as follows:
Large Company Category
(250 plus U.S. Employees)…
1 Edward Jones, Belfast;
2 CIANBRO, Pittsfield;
3 Androscoggin Home Care and
Hospice, Lewiston;
4 Diversified Communications,
Portland;
5 Tyler Technologies, Inc., Yarmouth;
6 Geiger Group, Lewiston;
7 athenahealth, Inc. Belfast;
8 Bangor Savings Bank, Bangor;
9 Unum, Portland;
10 InterMed, P.A., South Portland;
11 New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc.,
Norridgewock;
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce invites you to a special event:
Federal Health Care Reform:
After the Mid-Term Elections and into 2015
Tues., Dec. 2 w 8:00 a.m. to Noon w Senator Inn & Spa, Augusta
After nearly four years, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)
has cleared many of the implementation milestones that policy watchers and state and
national politicians had either jeered or cheered. Once again, it should be clear that
even with potential power swings in Congress, the ACA isn’t going away anytime
soon. This provocative law remains just that – national law. As we enter 2015,
once again a number of critical programmatic milestones are scheduled to be triggered, including the opening of the small business exchange program (SHOP) and
the triggering of the employer mandate. But just how are these integral parts of the
ACA going to work? What do affected employers of all sizes need to know about
in order to make informed decisions for themselves and their employees?
Like the other years in the life of the ACA, 2015 is a critical year, both in
Maine and nationally, for Maine businesses and individual citizens. After so many
years of inaction, will Congress and the Obama Administration finally come to an
agreement on how best to fix the problems with the act, or will politics once again
win out? Many important choices will need to be made as we head into the important 2015 implementation year. What do businesses need to know now; what
should they be doing now to meet the coming changes and requirements of the
ACA and what are the next steps?
Please join the Maine State Chamber of Commerce for an informative and
timely presentation on the status of the national health care reform law, and the
forecast for any changes by Congress, and heading into 2015. We will be joined
by a panel of experts, local and national, who will provide you with the most upto-date information on what the future may hold for your business and your
employees. You won’t want to miss it!
Agenda (subject to some modification):
8:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast & Registration
8:30 a.m.
Welcome
8:45 a.m.
Speaker Presentations
10:45 a.m.
Morning Break
11:00 a.m.
Q & A panel Discussion
12:00 noon
Adjourn
This is a free event but seating is limited so pre-registration is a must! Please
email Amy Downing at [email protected] to register. 
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor:
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Principal Sponsor:
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine
Breakfast Sponsor:
EMHS – Beacon Health
Registration Sponsor:
FairPoint Communications
Program Sponsor:
Maine Hospital Association
Supporting Sponsor:
Kennebec Technologies; University of New England
Best Places To Work...
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
T-Mobile US, Oakland;
Carbonite, Inc., Lewiston;
Barclays, Wilton;
Consigli Construction Co., Inc.,
Portland;
Maine Veterans’ Homes, Augusta;
Hancock Lumber Company, Casco;
Kaplan University Maine Campuses,
South Portland;
Cintas Corporation, Westbrook; and,
Hollywood Casino Bangor, Bangor.
Medium Company Category
(50 to 249 U.S. employees)…
1 Patriot Subaru, Saco;
2 Town & Country Federal Credit
Union, South Portland;
3 Infinity Federal Credit Union,
Westbrook;
4 Kepware Technologies, Portland;
5 Machias Savings Bank, Machias;
6 Community Care, Bangor;
7 Connectivity Point, Auburn;
8 Maine State Credit Union, Augusta;
9 Allen Insurance and Financial,
Camden;
10 Tom’s of Maine, Kennebunk;
11 SeniorsPlus, Lewiston;
12 Cash Star, Inc., Portland;
13 Bath Savings Institution, Bath;
14 FISC Solutions, Lewiston;
15 Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Bar Harbor;
16 Moody’s Collision Centers, Inc.,
Gorham;
17 Apothecary By Design, Portland;
18 Maine Savings Federal Credit
Union, Hampden;
19 Allagash Brewing Co., Portland;
20 Coastal Women’s Healthcare,
Scarborough;
21 Good Shepherd Food Bank, Auburn;
22 Skowhegan Savings Bank, Skowhegan;
23 GreenPages Technology Solutions,
Kittery;
24 Systems Engineering, Inc., Portland;
25 Mechanics Savings Bank, Auburn;
26 Putney, Inc., Portland;
27 Androscoggin Bank, Lewiston;
28 Clark Insurance, Portland;
29 Maine Credit Union League of
Synergent, Portland;
30 F.A. Peabody Company, Houlton;
31 Day’s Jewelers, Waterville;
32 Winxnet, Portland;
33 BlueTarp Financial, Portland;
34 Harriman, Auburn;
35 Bedard Pharmacy and Medical
Supplies, Auburn; and,
36 Thayer Corporation, Auburn.
Small Company Category
(15 to 49 U.S. employees)…
1 TruChoice Federal Credit Union,
South Portland;
2 Pierce, Portland;
3 Sage Data Security LLC., Portland;
4 Hall Internet Marketing, Portland;
5 SFX AMERICA, Portland;
6 MPX, Portland;
7 Albin, Randall & Bennett, Portland;
8 Plixer International, Inc., Kennebunk;
9 Kennebec Federal Savings, Waterville;
10 RLC Engineering, LLC., Hallowell;
11 Holden Agency, Portland;
12 PeoplesChoice Credit Union, Saco;
13 Nurse Anesthesia of Maine, Brewer;
and,
14 BONNEY Staffing Center, Portland.
The 2014 Best Places to Work in
Maine program recognizes companies that
have established and consistently fostered
outstanding workplace environments.
Partners endorsing the program include
the Best Companies Group, the Maine HR
Convention, the Maine State Chamber of
Commerce, the Maine Department of
Labor, the Department of Economic and
Community Development, and Mainebiz.
The program also helps companies that
want to improve their score. The Best
Companies Group’s “Employee Feedback
Report” is presented to each participating
company, even if it did not make the list. The
report summarizes employee engagement
and satisfaction data, the “Maine Benchmark
Report,” and the transcript of employee written comments. The report is used by many
organizations to make significant improvements in their workplace culture.
Further details about the “Best Places
to Work in Maine” program and the
awards banquet can be found online at
www.bestplacestoworkinme.com. For
more information, please contact Dave
Vasconcelos at ProSearch Inc. by emailing
[email protected] or calling
(207) 699-4383; Jodie Griffith at InterMed
P.A. by emailing [email protected]
or calling (207) 523-3721; or, Jackie
Miller at the Best Companies Group by
calling (877) 455-2159, ext. 271. 
Governor’s Award
for Business
Excellence presented
to Maine companies
On Friday, September 19, Governor
Paul R. LePage today presented eight
Maine companies with a 2014 Governor’s
Award for Business Excellence during a
reception at Southern Maine Community
College in South Portland. The 24th
annual awards, administered by the
Maine Department of Economic and
Community Development and sponsored
by FairPoint Communications, recognize
Maine businesses that are successful in a
variety of ways.
“These businesses represent the best
of the best here in Maine,” said Governor
LePage. “All eight of these companies
are committed to quality workmanship,
maintaining a loyal and dedicated workforce, and giving back to the communities
they do business in. Their leadership and
direction is solid and I am honored to recognize their efforts and I thank them for
doing business here in Maine.”
This year’s Business Award recipients are:
Ÿ
Priority Real Estate – Topsham:
Priority Real Estate Group is a commercial real estate investment and
development company. Established
in 1998, Priority has built, owns and
manages more than $100 million of
professional, medical, educational,
retail, manufacturing, and industrial
space. While achieving success locally, Priority is also invested in their
community. 90% of all their financial contributions go to organizations
that support children, provide heating assistance and address hunger
prevention. Their biggest community
development project to date is the
Veterans Resource Center at
Brunswick Landing. The Center provides assistance to veterans and their
families in obtaining benefits, services and resources to meet their
needs and support their reintegration
into the community.
Observing National
Disability Employment
Awareness Month
In October of each year, our nation
observes National Disability Employment
Awareness Month, an annual awareness
campaign to educate businesses and the
general public about disability employment issues, as well as celebrate the many
and varied contributions of America’s
workers with disabilities.
The history of National Disability
Employment Awareness Month traces
back to 1945, when Congress enacted a
law declaring the first week in October
each year “National Employ the
Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1962,
the word “physically” was removed to
acknowledge the employment needs and
contributions of individuals with all types
of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a full month and changed
the name to National Disability
Employment Awareness Month.
Providing meaningful employment for
people with disabilities is a priority for the
Maine State Chamber of Commerce and
our affiliate, the Maine Business
Leadership Network. Last November, in
partnership with the Maine Development
Foundation, we released our fourth
Making Maine Work Report: Growing
Maine’s Workforce. The report stresses
the importance of hiring people with disabilities to meet our goal of growing
Maine’s workforce by 65,000 by the year
2020, which is vital to improving Maine’s
economy. Included in the 65,000 is the
recommendation that we add 10,000 people with disabilities to our labor force.
All businesses have a role to play in,
and benefit to gain from, increasing
opportunities for meaningful employment
for people with disabilities. This year’s
theme is “Expect. Empower. Employ.” It
conveys that advancing disability employment is about much more than just hiring.
It’s about creating a continuum of inclusion. And the first step on this continuum
is expectation.
Our aim this October, and throughout
the year, is to spread the important message that a strong workforce is one incluContinued on Page 21...
Business Excellence...
Ÿ
Huhtamaki – Waterville: For more
than 100 years, Huhtamaki, Inc. has
developed, manufactured and distributed a wide range of molded fiber articles including more than 400 different
products in 100 different sizes. The
finished goods are distributed across
the U.S and Europe, thanks to the
efforts of nearly 500 full-time employees. Huhtamaki is the birthplace of the
famous Chinet® brand as a result of
the invention of Martin Keyes,
founder of the Keyes Fibre Company.
Mr. Keyes invented molded fiber technology in 1903; and in 2013, the company donated nearly 2,000 cases of
Chinet® plates to non-profit organizations throughout Maine.
Ÿ
GAC Chemical – Searsport: GAC
Chemical Corporation and its 65
employees are proud to be celebrating
20 years of business in Maine. GAC
manufactures and distributes industrial, specialty, and fine chemicals.
Primary markets include: pulp and
paper, power plant, industrial manufacturing, potable municipal water, as
well as waste water. GAC is the
worldwide leader in the production of
high purity ammonium sulfate used in
markets such as pharmaceutical,
food, and water treatment. In 2013,
GAC partnered with a manufacturer
based in Mexico. This company’s
multi-million-dollar project at GAC
marked the first Foreign Direct
Investment from Mexico into Maine
and allowed GAC to become certified
as a Pine Tree Zone business.
Ÿ
Fluid Imaging Technologies –
Scarborough:
Fluid
Imaging
Technologies manufactures a proprietary digital-imaging particle analysis
system called FlowCAM. The company is a spin-off of Bigelow
Laboratories and its initial “headquarters” was located above a garage in
East Boothbay. In the past 15 years,
the company experienced rapid
growth and to accommodate the
expanding team; Fluid Imaging
Technologies moved to its fourth location last summer. This new location is
equipped with a state-of-the-art testing
laboratory, a dedicated product development area, and expanded production
Ÿ
Kepware Technologies – Portland:
Kepware Technologies is a software
development company. Established in
1995 and now distributed in more than
100 countries, Kepware provides a
portfolio of software solutions to help
businesses connect diverse automation
devices and software applications.
From plant floor to well site to wind
farm, Kepware serves a wide range of
customers in a variety of international
vertical markets including manufacturing, oil and gas, building automation,
power distribution, and more.
Ÿ
Winxnet - Portland: Since 1999,
Winxnet has been helping organizations
reduce their IT costs, lower risk, and
achieve greater ROI on technology initiatives. With offices throughout New
England and the Southeast, Winxnet
works with corporations, healthcare
organizations, non-profits and public
sector entities of all sizes. As a premiere IT outsourcing and consulting
firm, Winxnet believes providing IT
services is about more than just keeping
information secure and systems and
devices operational. Their business is
based on establishing relationships with
clients, understanding their unique
challenges and then helping solve even
the most complex of problems.
Ÿ
Hall
Internet
Marketing
–
Portland: Hall Internet Marketing is
a 15-year-old organization that builds
and markets retail and B2B websites.
Hall has become a national player in
search engine marketing by creating
some really powerful technology—
thanks to the support of The Maine
Centers
for
Entrepreneurial
Development, The Maine Department
of Economic and Community
Development, and with funding from
The Maine Technology Institute. Its
20 employees enjoy an innovative
corporate culture that has earned four
consecutive Best Places to Work in
Maine awards. A founding member
of the Casco Bay Technology Hub,
Hall’s continued support for start-ups
and new ideas adds a bit of a Silicon
Valley feel to the Maine economy.
Disability Awareness...
Have you read the Good News?
Last fall, the Maine State Chamber launched a new partnership with
JustGoodNews.biz, a free, national online news service that focuses solely on
publishing positive business headline news from around the country, including
Maine. The service is a powerful tool for attracting new businesses to a state, and
includes a “Who’s Hiring” page connecting job seekers and employers.
Here are a few of the “just good news” story headlines from Maine’s
business community!
Ÿ Bath Iron Works recruiting in Bucksport;
Ÿ Porvair pushing up production capacity in Caribou;
Ÿ Jackson Laboratory mixing investment, jobs in Bar Harbor;
Ÿ Precise Products manufacturing more jobs in Benton;
Ÿ Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream spoons up another world title;
Ÿ Rail line helping Auburn track more business;
Ÿ Jotul stoking stove manufacturing, jobs in Gorham;
Ÿ Oxford Networks data center expands in Brunswick;
Ÿ Pride Manufacturing making Lincoln Logs, jobs in Burnham; and,
Ÿ Lobster Unlimited cracking open new market for shells.
We want to ensure we are covering good news stories from all across Maine
and not just in specific areas. We are asking that you let us know if you have good
news about growing and expanding companies; innovative businesses and startups
with great ideas; hiring opportunities, so employers and jobs seekers can connect;
and, national, regional, state rankings and awards.
To get your good news to us, simply visit www.JustGoodNews.biz, click
“Share Your Good News” at the top of the page, and fill in the information,
including uploading photos if you have them (always a nice enhancement to your
story). You can also add [email protected] to your newsletter and news
release distribution list or email the basic info for follow-up to Amy Downing at
[email protected].
If you or your company has a Facebook page, please “like” the
JustGoodNews.biz Maine page - simply search for JustGOODNews.biz Maine on
Facebook to find the page. If you or your company is on Twitter, you can follow JustGoodNews.biz on there too — https://twitter.com/justgoodnewsbiz.
We look forward to hearing about and sharing your good news. For more
information or if you have any questions, please contact Amy Downing, member
services and program manager at the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 104, or by emailing [email protected]. 
sive of the skills and talents of all individuals, including individuals with disabilities. The benefits of hiring people with
disabilities are enormous for both the
employer and the employee, and hiring
people with disabilities is a critical component to growing Maine’s workforce.
Employers and employees in all
industries can learn more about how to
participate in National Disability
Employment Awareness Month and ways
they can promote its messages — during
October and throughout the year — by
visiting the U.S. Department of Labor’s
Office of Disability Employment Policy’s
website at www.dol.gov/odep/.
Maine employers and employees can
also learn more about hiring people with
disabilities by contacting the Maine
Business Leadership Network at any time
by emailing Amy Downing at [email protected] or Joyce LaRoche
at [email protected]. 
Business Excellence...
capability. They have sold more than
500 FlowCAMs in about 45 countries,
so Maine represents the global geographic epicenter of their markets and
the company takes pride in being able
to live and work in this state.
Ÿ
Haven’s Candies – Westbrook:
Herbert Haven founded Haven’s Candy
Kitchen on Forest Avenue in Portland
back in 1915. During the past century,
Haven’s has stuck to its heritage of creating the finest handcrafted confections
by using the best ingredients and timeless recipes. Haven’s operates out of a
chocolate factory in Westbrook, with
satellite retail stores in Portland and
Scarborough. Haven’s employs 28 people, many of whom have made a career
with the company in the confection
trade. The name Haven’s has truly
become a Maine brand, and the owner
and employees take great pride in being
stewards of a company with deep local
roots and enthusiastic customers. 
Connect with us
daily on these
social media
platforms!
Extreme Makeover:
Environmental Remediation Edition
www.mainechamber.org
@mainechamber
www.facebook.com/
MaineChamber
On Thursday, November 20, E2Tech will be holding its Annual Meeting to elect
Board Members, but will also present a forum dedicated to Maine companies that tackle some tough and dirty jobs around the country.
Many commercial and industrial processes can lead to contamination of the environment with hazardous substances. Fortunately, there are also many Maine companies with
specialized experience in removal of these contaminants from soil, groundwater, sediment,
surface water and other environmental media. The panel represents just a sampling of those
companies and environmental remediation technologies and processes they employ.
For example, the Mallinckrodt facility, formerly known as HoltraChem, sits on
235 acres on the banks of the Penobscot River in Orrington and is the largest remediation site in the state. The Maine BEP Compliance Order for the site requires the
removal or maintenance of five landfills; the removal of contaminated soils, sediments,
and contaminated structures; and, the treatment of groundwater and surface water.
Mercury pollution deposited through the Penobscot River could threaten the area’s
fishing and tourism industries. Speakers from Sevee & Maher and Preti Flaherty will
discuss what is now the largest environmental remediation project in Maine.
TRC Environmental Corp. will examine the technical limitations, benefits and costs,
human health and environmental risks, regulatory compliance, and sustainability issues
related to site cleanups, focusing on petroleum releases and other hazardous materials and
contaminants of concern throughout the northeast. And, St. Germain Collins will evaluate just how “clean is clean” when dealing with cleanup levels for dioxin at the parts
per trillion levels and innovative and cost-effective field testing for dioxin in the face of
different regulatory oversight and rules in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
To join us for this annual event, please register at http://www.e2tech.org/event-1729183.
Heat of the Moment:
Gubernatorial and Energy Forum
www.youtube.com/user/
MaineChamber
www.linkedin.com/groups/MaineState-Chamber-Commerce-3686793
The Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine (E2Tech) hosted a
Gubernatorial Forum & Panel Discussion on September 12: Heat of the Moment: Plans
from State Officials, Energy Companies, & Maine’s Next Governor.
Governor Paul LePage, Congressman Mike Michaud, and candidate Eliot Cutler
were invited to provide remarks on their energy, environmental, and economic development policies and plans, to E2Tech’s diverse network of private, public and nonprofit sector members. In addition to the nearly 300 business, non-profit, government,
and educational institution attendees, E2Tech welcomed 85 students from the Baxter
Academy for Technology and Science, a new charter school in Portland dedicated to
STEM education. Rep. Michaud and Mr. Cutler shared their energy policies with the
group, along with Governor’s Energy Office Director Patrick Woodcock and
United States Postal Service Form 3526…
Statement of Ownership,
Management, and Circulation
EDITOR’S NOTE: The United States Postal Service requires that we publish the following
“Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation” as part of the indicia permitting process.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7a.
Publication Title: Impact
Publication Number: 599-530
Filing Date: 10/06/2014
Issue Frequency: Weekly–January through April 2014; Monthly–May through December 2014
Number of Issues Published Annually: 17 in 2014
Annual Subscription Price: $25
Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 125 Community Drive, Suite 101,
Augusta, Maine 04330-8010
7b.
Contact Person: Melanie Baillargeon
7c.
Telephone: (207) 623-4568, ext. 110
8.
Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: Same as
above
9.
Full Names and Complete mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor:
Publisher: Maine State Chamber of Commerce. Editor: Melanie A. Baillargeon, address above.
Managing Editor: Dana F. Connors, address above.
10.
Owner: Maine State Chamber of Commerce, 125 Community Drive, Suite 101, Augusta, Maine
04330-8010.
11.
Known Bondholders, Mortgages, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or
More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None
12.
Tax Status: The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes has not changed during the preceding 12 months.
13.
Publication Title: Impact
14.
Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: 09/11/14
15.
Extent and Nature of Circulation
Left Column: Average No. of Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months
Right Column: No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date
15a.
Total Number of Copies (net press run): ....................................1,371 .................1,300
15b1. Paid/Requested Outside-County Mail Subscriptions
Stated on Form 3541: ...........................................................731 ......................729
15b2. Paid In-County Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541: ......................0 ............................0
15b3. Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors,
Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution:..................0 ............................0
15b4. Other Classes mailed Through the USPS: ...................................0 ............................0
15c.
Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation:....................................731 ......................729
15d1. Free Distribution by Mail Outside-County as Stated on Form 3541:...396 ......................490
15d2. Free Distribution by Mail In-County as Stated on Form 3541:..........0 ............................0
15d3. Free Distribution by Other Classes Mailed Through USPS: .............0 ............................0
15e.
Free Distribution Outside the Mail:...........................................133 (Statehouse) .........0
15f.
Total Free Distribution: .........................................................529 ......................490
15g.
Total Distribution: ...............................................................1,260 .................1,219
15h.
Copies Not Distributed: .........................................................111 .......................81
15i.
Total: ...............................................................................1,371 .................1,300
15j.
Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: .................................58.02%............59.80%
16.
Publication of Statement of Ownership: Required. Will be printed in the October 23, 2014, issue
of this publication.
17a.
Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner: Melanie Baillargeon,
Director of Communications
17b.
Date: 10/06/14
I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who
furnishes false of misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on
the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions
(including civil penalties). 
E2 Tech News...
Efficiency Maine Executive Director
Michael Stoddard. All discussed options
available to help ease Mainers’ heating
burden and make the right choice “in the
heat of the moment.” The goal of the
forum was to provide information on the
diversity of energy and heating options,
their costs and benefits, and potential
strategies to provide cost-effective energy
resources to Maine’s homes and businesses. Video of the event and presentations
are available on the E2Tech website at
http://www.e2tech.org/event-1729195.
The Waste Hierarchy II:
Reduction, Reuse,
Recycling and
Composting
E2Tech hosted an October 16 forum
with speakers representing Maine’s top
waste management, composting, and biofuels businesses. Panelists explored what
is being done to address the topic of the
Waste Hierarchy Pyramid: Reduction,
Reuse, Recycling, and Composting, with a
specific focus on organics. Although recycling paper, plastics, and glass has
become second nature to most Mainers,
there are operating and proposed efforts
underway to further reduce our solid
waste stream by diverting organics and
residuals from landfills and energy recovery facilities. Casella is providing new
technologies and services to manage
Maine’s residual waste streams. Garbage
to Garden is collecting organic wastes
from residences in the Greater Portland
area and returning high-quality compost to
its customers. Northern Tilth/ecomaine
recently completed a comprehensive study
to determine the feasibility of collecting
residential organic wastes on a larger
scale. And, Maine Standard Biofuels is
collecting oils and greases and producing
biofuels that are being used in heating oil
and vehicles for some of Maine’s largest
delivery fleets. Video and presentations
from this event can be found at
http://www.e2tech.org/event-1729181. 
Periodicals
Postage Paid
Lisbon, ME
125 Community Drive, Suite 101
Augusta, Maine 04330-8010
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce invites you to a special event:
Federal Health Care Reform:
After the Mid-Term Elections
and into 2015
Tuesday, December 2, 2014 w 8:00 a.m. to Noon
Senator Inn & Spa, Augusta
Please join the Maine State Chamber of Commerce for an informative and timely presentation on the status of the national health care reform law, and the forecast
for any changes by Congress, and heading into 2015. We will be joined by a panel
of experts, local and national, who will provide you with the most up-to-date information on what the future may hold for your business and your employees. You
won’t want to miss it!
This is a free event but seating is limited so pre-registration is a must! Please
email Amy Downing at [email protected] to register.
Please see page 18 for details

October 23, 2014 - Maine State Chamber of Commerce

Transcription

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