January 12, 2021

A Few of Our Favorite Things: Purpose beyond profit

Making a Difference for People and the Planet
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, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy. Take a moment to…
Island Institute
Island off North Lubec
January 7, 2021

What the year looked like from here

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…
Tom Groening
December 23, 2020

Commercial Currents: Wrapping up 2020 

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…
Craig Olson | Claire Donnelly
December 22, 2020

A Few of Our Favorite Things: Winter Reads

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…
Island Institute
December 21, 2020

Focus and action: reporting back on priorities

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…
Sue Bernier
December 21, 2020

What hot dogs, water tests, and juice boxes teach us about giving back

Island Institute staff on the things that keep them inspired during challenging times
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…
Sue Bernier
December 18, 2020

FCC announces results of Rural Digital Opportunity Fund

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…
Nick Battista
December 15, 2020

A Few of Our Favorite Things: Artists and makers

Archipelago, more than a store—supporting Maine's creative economy
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…
Island Institute
December 9, 2020

Maine marine businesses save money, reduce carbon pollution

Clean energy solutions for the marine sector reduce costs and help the environment
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…
Sam Belknap
December 8, 2020

A Few of Our Favorite Things: Gifts inspired by the sea

As part of our new collaborative series with Luke's Lobster, we're continuing to highlight some of our favorite things about Maine. Maine's scenic coastline, harbors, and waters serve as a…
Island Institute