ATLANTA (AP) — The blizzard that swept through the Northeast on Sunday and Monday delayed $1 billion in retail spending, according to research firm ShopperTrak, but won’t derail a holiday shopping season expected to be the best since 2007. The effect won’t be as bad as last year’s pre-Christmas snowstorm that similarly paralyzed parts of […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine power line project to create 1,800 jobs
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Contractors hired by Central Maine Power are poised to start hiring construction workers as part of a $1.4 billion project to upgrade the company’s high-voltage transmission lines. Officials say eventually the project is expected to create about 1,800 jobs. On Monday, Central Maine Power awarded the first three construction contracts for […]
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Posted inMaine, New England, sj-web
Census figures show Maine family income lowest in New England
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Newly released U.S. Census figures show that Maine has the lowest median household income in the region and among the highest child poverty rates. The statistics found that median household income in Maine was $46,541 during the latter half of the decade. That figure is about $4,700 less than Vermont, who […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Obama defends tax deal, says best for the nation
WASHINGTON (AP) — With Democrats balking at his compromise with Republicans, President Barack Obama on Tuesday staunchly defended his decision to deal with the GOP in order to extend about-to-expire tax cuts for all Americans. “There are some who would have preferred a protracted political fight,” the president said at a White House news conference […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
GOP, Dems nearing deal on taxes, jobless benefits
WASHINGTON (AP) — An outline of a bipartisan economic package is emerging that would temporarily extend the Bush-era tax rates for all taxpayers, while extending jobless benefits for millions of Americans. Differences remained over details, including White House demands for middle- and low-income tax credits. But the White House expressed optimism Monday, raising the possibility […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine gasoline prices rise
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A price-watching website says average retail gasoline prices in Maine have risen 7.6 cents per gallon in the past week to an average of $3.09. MaineGasPrices.com says Sunday’s average price in Maine compares with the national average, which has increased 8.4 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.94. Including […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine economy looking brighter
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine’s $1 billion-plus budget gap may not be that big after all. Revised revenue estimates that won forecasters’ blessing in Augusta on Tuesday point to a shortfall that could be roughly half that size. The Revenue Forecasting Committee endorsed figures that lower the shortfall through the next two-year budget cycle by […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine businesses to pay more to cover unemployment
Starting next year, the Maine Department of Labor is raising unemployment insurance premiums to replenish the state’s unemployment coffers, which have been strained by increased unemployment claims from out-of-work job seekers. The agency said Monday that annual premiums for businesses will increase between roughly $10 and $90 per employee when the increase takes effect Jan. […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Gas prices rise over 6 cents in a week
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A price-watching website says average retail gasoline prices in Maine have risen 6.2 cents per gallon in the past week to an average of $2.98 per gallon. MaineGasPrices.com said Monday that Maine’s latest average price compares with the national average, which has increased 3.1 cents per gallon in the last week […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Retail sales rise is led by higher auto purchases
WASHINGTON (AP) — A surge in auto purchases helped lift retail sales in October by the largest amount in seven months. But excluding autos, retail sales rose more modestly. October marked the fourth straight increase in retail sales after declines in May and June. Those drops had raised fears about the economic recovery. Still, economists […]