Ripple effects of high gas prices, soft retail sales and persistent economic uncertainty threaten to make 2026 a tough year financially for many Mainers.
economy
Posted inBusiness, News
Evo purchase unites 2 Greater Portland climbing gyms in face of economic headwinds
The owners of Salt Pump Climbing Co. in Scarborough have acquired Evo Rock + Fitness in Portland in a move intended to fortify both gyms in a challenging economy.
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Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
4 economic goals Maine business leaders want the state to reach by 2035
A new report lays out priorities to boost business competitiveness, lower housing costs and increase wages 20% within the next decade.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Older Mainers are filling gaps in a tight labor market
Often working part time, people age 65 and older have become a critical resource in the state’s economy.
Posted inFood, Maine, News
Some Mainers are rethinking holiday meals in wake of rising food costs and unsteady economy
Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners are featuring fewer guests, smaller portions and more scratch cooking in an effort to cut costs.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Group launches ballot initiative aimed at ending recreational marijuana sales in Maine
If the referendum question makes it onto the state ballot, voters will decide the fate of the $240 million-a-year market at the polls in 2026.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Thrifting for Christmas helps shoppers save money, buy sustainably
Resale shops, thrift stores and antiques malls across Maine make it possible to find unique vintage and handcrafted holiday gifts at bargain prices.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
As Maine winters get warmer, Presque Isle faces the biggest change
The city’s average temperature from December through February is 6.5 degrees higher than it was in 1970, marking one of the biggest shifts in the country.
Posted inLeslie Bridgers, Maine, News, Real Estate
Woodfords Corner has been on the rise. Is the new LoanMax a bad sign? | Column
With the unsightly title loan company taking up a prominent location and the Artist & Craftsman Supply store moving, some are concerned about the direction of the neighborhood. Others believe it’s a blip.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
What Maine’s back-to-school sales tell us about holiday spending
New state data shows people were willing to spend a little more money this fall, but some shoppers still plan on cutting costs for the holidays.