Category: Blog

We’ve come a long way since 1970, when economist Milton Friedman told the world that companies have no responsibility to society or to the planet, only to increase profits for their shareholders. Friedman’s doctrine kicked off an era of unbridled greed in American business. 50 years later, our business community is starting to be on… Read more »

As we begin the new year with ambitious goals for our collaboration with Luke’s Lobster, we’re reminded of the value of B Corps, and the other partners in our state, which focus on a purpose that goes beyond profits. Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance,… Read more »

We will remember 2020 for the rest of our lives. And the way we remember will be colored by where we were as it unfolded. The view from Maine’s coast and islands drove many of our stories this past year. Not all policy decisions, community initiatives, and business developments were tainted by COVID-19, but much was.… Read more »

A Year. I’ll leave it at that. It’s been “A Year.” You can read whatever you want into it. Claire Donnelly and I recently sat down to wrap up our current Commercial Currents podcast series, “Business in Uncertain Times.” It’s really a review of our impressions of 2020 for businesses in Maine, successes and failures, and the… Read more »

With the pre-holiday frenzy behind (most) of us, we wanted to share a few of our favorite books, curated by both us and our friends at Luke’s Lobster, for reading over the coming winter months, or anytime you can grab a quiet moment. We hope you enjoy! On Lighthouses, by Jazmina Barrera Order it here… Read more »

In March, as the entire nation began to adapt to what it meant to work, study, and stay at home, the Island Institute began to take action. In a March 25th Field Notes article in The Working Waterfront, Island Institute President Rob Snyder outlined our immediate response to the urgent needs of our communities, including how… Read more »

If your postal mailbox is anything like mine, we’ve moved on from political mudslinging to the more inspiring, unifying season of giving. My inbox is now filled with year-end giving requests instead of Election Day reminders, and interestingly enough, I enjoy receiving appeal letters and annual giving reminders. You read that correctly—I like being asked… Read more »

On December 7th, the Federal Communications Commission announced the results of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, which provides successful bidders with a monthly subsidy to help offset their costs of providing internet access in rural areas. 4 providers in Maine are set to receive $71 million in subsidies over 10 years that cover slightly more… Read more »

As part of our ongoing collaborative series with the Luke’s Lobster, we’re celebrating Maine’s creative economy and some of the incredible work that our state’s artists and makers create for us to enjoy throughout the year. Maine has long been known for being home to fine artists and makers of all kinds. The Island Institute’s… Read more »

What if I told you your marine business could shift electrical costs from ongoing operations to capital costs and, by doing so, could pay next to nothing for electricity within ten years? And what if doing so would cut carbon pollution too? This is not some environmental fantasy, but the actual results that businesses along… Read more »