Last year, my homeowner’s insurance cost doubled. I have lived here 30 years and never had a claim. Every time I go to the grocery store, it costs more, so the quality of what I can buy goes down. I used to buy a cord of wood for $100; now it is $200. Why is […]
economy
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Economist sees steady growth this year for Maine’s economy
PORTLAND — Maine’s economy is expected to see steady growth this year, providing an opportunity for the state to begin tackling the challenges it will face in the future as its population continues to age, a former state economist said Tuesday. Last year was a turning point for Maine toward post-recession recovery and that will […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Bipartisan budget agreement clears Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress sent President Barack Obama legislation Wednesday scaling back across-the-board cuts on programs ranging from the Pentagon to the national park system, adding a late dusting of bipartisanship to a year more likely to be remembered for a partial government shutdown and near-perpetual gridlock. Obama’s signature was assured on the measure, which […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Economist says Maine needs more people to fuel a full recovery
BANGOR — If Maine’s going to continue to dig itself out of the recession and thrive in the future it needs more people, according to an economics and public policy professor with 12 years of experience in the State Planning Office under three governors. Charles Colgan, a public policy and management professor at the Muskie […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
In Maine, 4,000 face loss of extended unemployment benefits
AUGUSTA — Barring action from Congress, about 4,000 Mainers who receive extended unemployment benefits will lose those benefits after Dec. 28, 2013. The Maine Department of Labor, which administers the state’s unemployment benefits system, is urging those people to plan ahead. Maine’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in October was 6.7 percent, the lowest figure since November […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, New England, sj-web
Slow New England job growth seen lagging behind U.S. gains
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Federal spending cuts and reduced consumer demand are slowing economic growth in New England, according to a set of projections released Wednesday. The report by the New England Economic Partnership, a nonprofit that provides analyses and forecasts, said economic growth of 3 percent through 2017 is less than what’s considered even […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Dow closes at another record
NEW YORK — There weren’t any major economic developments or blockbuster earnings. But that didn’t stop investors from pushing the Dow Jones industrial average to another record Wednesday. Instead, investors focused on the big economic news yet to come this week — third-quarter U.S. economic growth on Thursday and the October jobs report Friday. Both […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn continues review of Growth Council contract
AUBURN — Councilors on Monday said they wanted to pick and choose which parts of a proposed Twin Cities economic development contract they wanted to fund. “It seems to me that we are the stewards of taxpayers’ money,” Councilor Joshua Shea said. “It’s about getting the best bang for our dollar, not about seeing what […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
Maine economy rebounding slowly, but national events make predictions ‘a guessing game,’ experts say
AUGUSTA — Making predictions about the future of Maine’s economy and the flow of revenues into state coffers is a difficult task even under normal circumstances, but a committee of financial and economic experts found that the present situation is far from normal. The state’s Consensus Economic Forecasting Commission met Friday in Augusta to pin […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
After abysmal attendance for past two months, the Maine Jump might shut down on Nov. 1
BANGOR — Barring a large uptick in business to finish the month, The Maine Jump will close its doors Nov. 1, according to owner Ryan Hatch, who attributes the potential shutdown to a nosedive in attendance this fall and poor management decisions. Maine Jump is an inflatable play place, featuring slides, climbing walls, obstacle courses […]