Working Waterfront

A tale of two retail towns—Freeport and Kittery

Freeport and Kittery may be well known as outlet shopping destinations, but residents of these coastal communities rarely think of themselves that way—and they know it’s important that everyone else come around to their way of thinking. Outlet stores began proliferating in these coastal communities in the 1980s. Over the… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Vinalhaven hires part-time town planner

Town Manager Andrew Dorr said John Bubier, a retired municipal manager who lives in Yarmouth, will work for the town for 20 to 25 hours per week. He is expected to be on-island one day a week, more often when the work requires. The town is budgeting about $25,000 annually… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Why the Island Institute offers 12-week paid parental leave

Nonprofit organizations like the Island Institute are not exempt from the pressures of the bottom line. In fact, we are just as mindful of budgets as for-profit businesses because we are funded by finite sources—grants and donations—and can't count on an uptick in sales to provide a cushion. But despite… SEE MORE

Gordon Page chats with the manager of Rock City Café.

Working Waterfront

On the record with… Rockland downtown’s Gordon Page

Gordon Page came to Rockland in 1982 for a job at National Sea Products, a company on the city’s waterfront that processed frozen blocks of fish. Today, he’s the executive director of Rockland Main Street, a nonprofit group that works to boost the city’s downtown business district. The bookends to… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Islesboro’s lead on broadband is model for success

If Maine followed Islesboro’s example, we would soon be the most connected state in the nation. On June 18, Islesboro voted to join a very limited number of towns across the country with universal access to gigabit broadband speeds. When the $3.8 million project is complete, this high-speed service will… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Understanding Portland, understanding Maine

There are no cities in Maine. With a population of about 66,000, Portland doesn’t qualify, at least by national standards. If Portland were in Massachusetts, it would be the 15th largest community, bigger than Haverill but smaller than Framingham. And city or not, Portland is often dismissed these days as… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

The lobster trail—following critter from water to market reveals complexity

An 18-wheel tractor trailer truck is parked near Rockland’s fish pier on a hot day in late June. In the trailer, a couple of men are sliding empty plastic lobster crates toward the back door, where a fork lift operator waits to lift and set them down on the side… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Kayaking: Easy access to ocean, but risks often underestimated

In the 20 years she’s been operating her kayak business, Karen Francoeur estimates she has introduced well over 1,000 people to the joys of paddling on Maine waters. “I started my business when kayaking was becoming a big thing,” she said, back in 1997. The sport took off, she remembers,… SEE MORE

Kaitlyn Mullen at the College of the Atlantic dock.

Working Waterfront

Mullen links ferry with research in Frenchman Bay

A new type of ferry linking Winter Harbor and Bar Harbor that’s also a research platform was established by a woman of many roles. Kaitlyn Mullen is a prominent marine mammal observer, world traveler, doctor of ocean engineering, tour operation manager and captain and professional singer/songwriter. Mullen is also something… SEE MORE

Houses in Portland's East End. A report has concluded that almost half of the city's residents are paying too much in rent.

Working Waterfront

City acts to ease Portland housing shortage

Like many cities in New England and across the country, Portland is facing a housing crisis. There’s not enough housing to meet the demand and the cost of housing often far exceeds what many people can afford to pay. And just like their peers, Portland’s leaders are making easing the… SEE MORE