BOSTON (AP) — New England lawmakers are preparing to ask Congress for $100 million in disaster relief funds for fishermen, including money to help them exit the industry if they wish and subsidies for those who stay in. The proposal is outlined in a draft letter to congressional leaders from Sen. John Kerry that’s being […]
economy
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Bernanke: With unemployment high, Fed can do more
He also argued that the Fed’s moves so far to keep interest rates at record lows and encourage borrowing and spending have helped bolster the economy. Bernanke stopped short of committing the Fed to any specific move, such as another round of bond purchases to lower long-term rates. But in a speech at an annual […]
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Maine’s unemployment figures better than national rate for July
AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine’s unemployment rate in July was 7.6 percent, slightly higher than June, but unchanged from the same month last year, according to preliminary estimates released today by the Maine Department of Labor. Maine continues to have lower unemployment rates, higher rates of labor force participation and a higher share of population that […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
Gallup poll says Maine next to last in list of ‘thriving’ states
AUGUSTA, Maine — In Gallup poll results released Tuesday, Maine ranks next to last for the percentage of respondents who describe themselves as “thriving” in the first half of 2012. Only West Virginia fared worse. The results come a week after a separate Gallup poll revealed that a lower percentage of Mainers than residents of any other state […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine ranks 13th in kid’s health, education
Maine ranks 13 among 50 states in overall child well-being, according to the 2012 Kids Count report recently released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a private charitable organization dedicated to helping disadvantaged children. The ranking is determined by indicators including economic well-being, education, health and family and community life. “Maine’s higher rankings in the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine gas prices soar nearly 8 cents per gallon
AUGUSTA (AP) — The average retail cost of a gallon of gas in Maine soared almost eight cents in the past week, but still didn’t rise as fast as the national average. Price-monitoring website MaineGasPrices.com reported Monday that the average cost in Maine jumped to $3.69 per gallon. Even though the national average jumped more […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
New Brunswick fishermen blockade Maine lobster deliveries
ELLSWORTH, Maine — As Maine lobstermen contend with historically low prices for their catch, the economic discomfort resulting from the state’s oversupply of soft-shell lobsters appears to be spreading across the border into Canada. On Thursday, New Brunswick fishermen publicly expressed their displeasure that some lobster processors in the province are getting their supply from […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine college offers workforce discounts
WATERVILLE, Maine (AP) — Thomas College and the Maine Development Foundation are announcing a partnership that will provide workers in some Maine businesses with special rates to apply to the Waterville school and discounts for its courses. For all current employees of more than 140 participating businesses, the Thomas College Graduate and Continuing Education Division […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
Biggest Maine blueberry harvest since ’00 expected
This year’s crop is projected to come in between 90 million to 95 million pounds, with the monthlong harvest kicking into gear the first week of August. If the yield reaches 90 million pounds, it would be the largest harvest since 2000, when production reached a record 110 million pounds. Maine’s blueberry crop has averaged […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
U.S. economy looks weaker; business confidence dims
WASHINGTON — Businesses placed fewer orders for most long-lasting manufactured goods in June, suggesting many are losing confidence in the slumping U.S. economy. The housing recovery also lost some momentum last month as fewer Americans signed contracts to buy homes. A third report Thursday showed applications for unemployment benefits plunged last week — normally a […]