Struggling Mainers have turned to state assistance to make ends meet since enhanced unemployment benefits expired at the end of July.
Peter McGuire
Peter McGuire is a business reporter covering Maine trade, transportation and tourism. A proud native of the western Maine mountains, there is a good chance he’d rather be playing outside. Peter has covered local news for Maine newspapers in Oxford County, Brunswick, Waterville and Portland. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and a Master’s Degree in International Relations from Boston University. He lives in Biddeford with his wife Stephanie and brown rescue dog named Emmy Lou.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Unemployed Mainers now can receive benefits for as long as a year
The state is invoking an emergency extension that, combined with an earlier federal extension, prolongs eligibility to 52 weeks.
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Posted inBusiness, Local & State
When will Maine office workers go back? For some, maybe never
Many Maine companies are extending remote work policies at least through the end of the year, and most office workers are happy about it.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Maine jobless rate jumps to 10% as state applies for Trump-ordered benefits program
The state’s unemployment rate increased from 6.7% in June as more Mainers started looking for work and the state received more accurate survey data.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Gov. Mills announces $200 million relief fund for small businesses
A state-funded grant program is aimed at stabilizing small employers, but business groups worry it will not be enough for some to stave off disaster.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Continued jobless claims fall sharply in Maine as U.S. unemployment worsens
The number of recurring claims fell by 8% in the first week job-search requirements were reinstated for unemployed Mainers.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Maine’s charter bus companies say they are on verge of collapse
With high overhead and almost no revenue, the companies are pinning their hopes on a federal bailout that may not come.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Community banks credited for strong emergency business loan outcome in Maine
An abundance of smaller banks helped make the federal Paycheck Protection Program more effective than in most other states.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Maine public bus services get $10.2 million federal grant
The money will be used to build a new transit center outside Acadia National Park, replace buses in Greater Portland and improve service in Bangor.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Guilford company gets $51 million contract to expand production of nasal swabs
Puritan Medical Products is one of the world’s only manufacturers of nasal swabs used in COVID-19 testing.