It brings the total to 217 businesses, nonprofits and working waterfronts awarded funding after a series of storms in late 2023 and early 2024 decimated the coast and inland communities.
Kay Neufeld
Staff Writer
Kay Neufeld is a business reporter with the Portland Press Herald, covering labor, unions and Maine's workforce; lobstering, fisheries and the working waterfront. They also love telling stories that illustrate the vibrant culture that makes Maine and its Mainers so special. They previously worked at the Camden Herald, Franklin Journal and the Bangor Daily News, covering local communities. Kay grew up in New York and graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute in 2018. They spontaneously moved to Maine in 2020 after visiting on vacation, searching for housing on Craigslist in the middle of their trip and asking their mother to ship their belongings to the Midcoast. In their spare time, Kay loves taking their miniature dachshund on miniature hikes, passionately defending Beyoncé's artistry and playing the fiddle with friends.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, Nation & World, News, Schools and Education
USDA halts millions in funding for University of Maine System
The move temporarily pauses the system’s agricultural research and programs weeks after President Donald Trump threatened to cut funding for Maine because it allows transgender athletes to compete in sports.
advertisement
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
King, Pingree and Collins urge Trump administration to reinstate Maine Sea Grant funding
Maine’s program is the only one of 34 nationwide that has lost its funding so far, and the move comes on the heels of the president’s threat to cut Maine’s federal funding over a disagreement about transgender athletes.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Schools and Education
Maine Sea Grant in jeopardy after Trump administration terminates $4.5 million grant program
The move to discontinue the four-year agreement — which comes amid the White House’s efforts to slash the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s budget — leaves the fishery organization’s programming and 20 employees in limbo.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Maine lobstermen hauled smallest catch in 15 years
But they raked in the second-highest price per pound in the fishery’s history in 2024.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Maine fisheries scientist nominated to head marine resources agency
Carl Wilson will temporarily replace Patrick Keliher as commissioner but must win Senate approval to keep the post on a permanent basis.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Lobstermen see controversial fishing gear in action for the first time
In Jonesport, the lobstermen were skeptical. But organizers don’t want an endorsement, they just want lobstermen to see the gear for themselves.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Maine’s congressional delegation wants more teenagers logging
In sustaining one of the state’s most important heritage industries, elected officials believe the measure would help sustain Maine’s identity, too.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Judge allows Maine lobstermen’s lawsuit over ‘red listing’ to advance
Businesses say the rating that encourages consumers to avoid eating lobster is defamatory and has caused significant economic harm.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, Nation & World, News
Lobster regulators repeal minimum size increase after years of backlash in Maine
The vote relieves the pressure of an impending deadline to comply with the law by this summer. Now, the lobster industry must find a different solution to protect declining populations.