GARDINER, Maine (AP) — Maine banking regulators are reporting a mixed pattern of residential mortgage foreclosures as the economy continues to struggle. Bureau of Financial Institutions’ Superintendent Lloyd LaFountain III says a third quarter survey of mortgages held by Maine’s 32 state-chartered banks and credit unions continued to show mixed performance. So there’s no clear […]
economy
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
Maine aims to build sustainable urchin fishery
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — During the heyday, Maine urchin fishermen harvested more than 40 million pounds of the spiny creatures a year. A move is now under way to jumpstart the industry, which has fallen on hard times and is just a skeleton of its former self. A panel made up of scientists, urchin harvesters […]
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Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
Heating oil costs drop 2 pennies in Maine
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine’s average heating oil cost has dropped slightly over the past week as temperatures remained unseasonably warm. Maine energy officials say the average price in Tuesday’s oil dealer survey was $3.57 per gallon, which is down 2 pennies from last week. Ken Fletcher of the Governor’s Office of Energy Independence and […]
Posted inLetters
B. Wilner: ‘Middle class’ has disappeared
The last time I went to the dentist it was $200 for 12 minutes. I had an appointment early this week to fix a cavity that has been there a year. The office refused to see me because I did not have $200. I am 60 and have had health issues that caused me to […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
2012 Mortgage delinquencies seen dropping sharply
NEW YORK (AP) — If the U.S. economy does not suffer more setbacks, the rate of mortgage holders behind on their payments should decline significantly by the end of next year, according to credit reporting agency TransUnion. Mortgage delinquency rates — the ratio of borrowers 60 or more days behind on their payments — will […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
Maine home sales up 6.78% in October
SOUTH PORTLAND — Maine real estate market continues to show signs of improving. According to Maine Real Estate Information System (MREIS), a total of 945 homes were sold in October, an increase of 6.78% since October 2010. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported a nationwide sales increase of 13.8% over the past 12 months. […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
FAME loans $1 million for mill restart in Maine
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Finance Authority of Maine says it has done its part to assist in the restart of one of the two paper mills in the Katahdin region. FAME’s board approved a direct loan of $1 million to assist as operations resume in East Millinocket, where about 215 workers have been recalled. […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
LePage: New Maine team to help ‘job creators’
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage says a new team has been assembled to improve the state’s business climate and help Maine businesses survive and grow. The governor’s newly formed team of account executives is now up and running in the Department of Economic and Community Development. Commissioner George Gervais says the team of […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Occupy Augusta group told to get permit or get out
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Occupy Augusta protesters have been told to get a permit or move their tents out of the state-owned Capitol Park. Capitol Police have allowed the protesters to stay in the park near the State House since Oct. 15 out of respect for their rights. But Capitol Police Chief Russ Gauvin has […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage touts needs of Maine businesses
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Gov. Paul LePage says the key to economic prosperity is to allow private businesses a chance to succeed. In his weekly radio address Saturday, LePage says he has heard from hundreds of business leaders at job creation workshops held this fall. LePage says business leaders are telling him the state […]