Maine State Chamber of Commerce

Health

Maine Chamber of Commerce raises concerns over proposed rule for paid family and medical leave law

Patty Wight

The new rule would allow employees to only give 30 days notice to take paid family or medical leave.

A green loader truck carries a bundle of logs as it drives past a massive pile of logs.

Business and Economy

New business applications reached a new high in Maine in 2023

Ari Snider

New Census data released last month showed more than 14,000 business applications were filed statewide in 2023.

Dana Connors is about to retire from the presidency of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce.

Business and Economy

An exit interview with the outgoing head of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce

Irwin Gratz

Dana Connors talked recently with Maine Public's Irwin Gratz about heading the chamber for 29 years along with 11 years as state transportation commissioner and 16 years as city manager of Presque Isle.

Dana Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, speaks at a press conference Thursday at Pierson Nurseries in Dayton. Connors said that securing a steady, reliable labor force is crucial for the agricultural sector.

Business and Economy

Maine farmers and business leaders urge Congress to expand migrant worker program

Ari Snider

A coalition of groups is calling on the Senate to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

A help-wanted sign hangs in the front window of the Bar Harbor Tea Room, Saturday, June 11, 2022, in Bar Harbor, Maine. America’s employers shrugged off high inflation and weakening growth to add 372,000 jobs in June, a surprisingly strong gain that will likely spur the Federal Reserve to keep sharply raising interest rates to try to cool the economy and slow price increases. The unemployment rate remained at 3.6% for a fourth straight month, the government said Friday, July 8.

Business and Economy

Maine businesses identify entry-level workers, high energy costs as top concerns

Kevin Miller

A new report said increasing the number of entry-level and skilled workers, lowering energy costs and addressing a shortage of affordable housing are top priorities for businesses in Maine.

Longtime Maine State Chamber President Dana Connors announced he will retire as head of the Chamber at the end of 2022 after leading the organization for nearly three decades.

Business and Economy

Maine State Chamber of Commerce president will step down at the end of the year

Fred Bever

Longtime Maine State Chamber President Dana Connors announced he will retire as head of the Chamber at the end of 2022 after leading the organization for nearly three decades.

Business and Economy

Their Small Restaurant Was A Success — Until Coronavirus Hit

Robbie Feinberg

Ninety-seven percent of businesses in Maine have fewer than 20 employees, according to the Small Business Administration. Many operate on tight margins,…

Business and Economy

Maine Businesses React To Mills' Guidelines To Reopening The State

Fred Bever

Maine's restaurant and hotel owners anxiously watched Gov. Janet Mills press conference Thursday, hoping for an indicator of when and how she will start…

Maine

Maine Chamber Supports Mills' New Restrictions On Maine Businesses As COVID-19 Spreads

Ed Morin

Calling Gov. Janet Mills' response to the coronavirus measured and responsible, the head of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce says the organization…

Maine

Maine Groups Unite To Fight Childhood Poverty, 'An Issue That Concerns All Of Us'

Willis Ryder Arnold

Several Maine groups are uniting to try to reduce childhood poverty in the state - and reduce it dramatically. Maine Equal Justice, Maine Community…