For Immediate Release                                                                                       Media Contact: Katie Clark
Thursday, October 16, 2025                                                                                Cell: 207-233-2230
 
Bangor Region Chamber Named ‘Chamber of the Year’ at Maine State Chamber Annual Awards Dinner
Representative Sawin Millett Honored with Dirigo Award for Six Decades of Public Service
 
BANGOR, Maine — Hundreds of business and community leaders from across the state gathered last night at the Cross Insurance Center for the Maine State Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Annual Meeting & Dinner, celebrating leadership, public service, and the impact of local chambers on Maine’s economic growth.
“At a time of national division, this evening is about rediscovering our shared stake in thriving communities,” said Patrick Woodcock, President and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. “Chambers are conveners, problem-solvers, and steady presences through times of growth and challenge. Tonight, we celebrate those who lead with vision and commitment.”
 
Governor Janet Mills addressed the audience, highlighting her administration’s ongoing work to strengthen Maine’s economy. “We’ve been making investments in Maine people to create the conditions, the environment for strong economic growth,” she said.
 
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of two major honors:
 
Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Wins “Chamber of the Year”
The Dana F. Connors Chamber of the Year Award recognizes outstanding growth, innovation, and community impact among Maine’s regional and local chambers. This year, the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce earned top honors for its leadership in shaping a modern regional economy while staying grounded in community values — from investing in youth leadership programs to forging cross-border partnerships.
 
“We have a vibrant, exciting economy, and we are a place where people want to continue to live and visit and move to,” said Deb Neuman, President of the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, upon accepting the award.
 
Representative Sawin Millett Receives Dirigo Award
The Chamber’s Dirigo Award, named for Maine’s state motto meaning “I Lead,” honors extraordinary public service. This year’s honoree was Representative Sawin Millett, whose 66-year career has spanned legislative, executive, and local government service under eight governors and nine legislative sessions. Millett was celebrated as a humble, steady, and unifying force in Maine politics.
 
“Maine has a long and proud tradition of producing public servants who lead with humility, expertise, and an unshakable work ethic,” said Woodcock. “Sawin embodies those traits. Time after time, when rhetoric divided, he dove into the details, brought committees together, and forged solutions.”
 
Senator Susan Collins, unable to attend due to the federal government shutdown, shared a recorded message honoring Millett’s legacy and his steadfast commitment to the people of Maine.
 
As the evening concluded, Woodcock reflected on the shared values that unite Maine’s business and civic communities: “Those we honored tonight remind us that leadership — whether in a local chamber or the halls of government — is about service, integrity, and building strong communities together.”
 
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About the Maine State Chamber of Commerce:
Founded in 1889, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce is Maine’s largest business association, serving as The Voice of Maine Business on behalf of thousands of employers of all sizes and sectors across the state. The Maine State Chamber focuses on three pillars - Advocacy, Access, and Awareness - to advance a positive business climate and secure a strong state economy in which Maine businesses can compete and succeed. For more information, please visit www.mainechamber.org.

The Maine State Chamber of Commerce is calling on Congress to act quickly to pass a continuing resolution and prevent a federal government shutdown.
 
Statement from President and CEO Patrick Woodcock:
"The economy does not need additional uncertainty, and a federal government shutdown would create a ripple effect of uncertainty for employers, workers, and communities across Maine. Essential services that families and businesses rely on would be disrupted, undermining confidence and exacerbating a slowing economy.

The impacts of a shutdown could extend from delayed federal contracts and services to the possibility of closing Acadia National Park during the height of leaf-peeping season — a closure that would impact the local economy and harm small businesses that depend on fall visitors.
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We strongly encourage both parties to work together quickly to resolve this impasse, pass a continuing resolution now, and avoid further self-inflicted setbacks to Maine’s economy and America’s competitiveness."

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                Media contact: Katie Clark
Tuesday, September 23, 2025                                                                                                                                207-233-2230 (cell)
 
AUGUSTA, Maine (Sept. 23, 2025) – The Maine State Chamber of Commerce is carefully monitoring the announcement by The Nature Conservancy and Brookfield Renewable today regarding the future of four hydroelectric dams on the Kennebec River, including the Shawmut Dam. This agreement has the potential to significantly impact one of Maine’s largest manufacturing employers and the thousands of good-paying jobs tied to the Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, as well as independent loggers, contractors, and landowners throughout the state.

Given the scale of the Somerset Mill’s recent $500 million transformation of its largest paper machine and its reliance on water from the Shawmut Dam, the economic stakes of this process are considerable. Any changes to the operation of these facilities could have wide-reaching implications for rural Maine communities, the state’s forest products industry, and its manufacturing competitiveness.
 
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Patrick Woodcock issued the following statement:
 
“The agreement announced by the Nature Conservancy presents major consequences for our state’s economy. Specifically, the Somerset Mill just completed a massive rebuild – one of the state’s largest private investments ever - to now produce packaging products, and the mill’s success is contingent on continued utilization of water from the Shawmut dam. Any proposed modifications of existing Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licenses on the Kennebec River must not jeopardize those jobs and facility upgrades. While we will collaborate with any partner, including the Nature Conservancy, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce will be focused on ensuring that plans for the Kennebec work for the state’s economy and support jobs in rural Maine. Finally, hydropower has served as a critical resource to power our state’s economy and we should support companies, like Brookfield, that maintain these critical clean energy assets and continue to produce clean and affordable electricity here in Maine.”
 
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About the Maine State Chamber of Commerce:
Founded in 1889, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce is Maine’s largest business association, serving as The Voice of Maine Business on behalf of thousands of employers of all sizes and sectors across the state. The Maine State Chamber focuses on three pillars - Advocacy, Access, and Awareness - to advance a positive business climate and secure a strong state economy in which Maine businesses can compete and succeed. For more information, please visit www.mainechamber.org.

With new federal budget negotiations underway, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce recently sent a letter to Maine’s congressional delegation urging them to prioritize policies that support economic growth, business competitiveness, and workforce stability. The letter outlines specific federal tax and health care provisions that are particularly impactful for Maine’s rural economy and long-term outlook.

The letter was featured in Mainebiz and emphasizes the need for certainty and investment-friendly policies as the state faces stagnant employment growth and one of the nation’s lowest population growth rates.
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Read the full letter below.

A broad coalition of Maine’s leading business associations and employers submitted a joint letter to Governor Janet Mills, urging her to veto LD 61, “An Act to Regulate Employer Surveillance to Protect Workers.” While the business community supports efforts to protect employee privacy, this legislation would significantly restrict standard operational practices across a wide range of industries.

​In the letter, signatories raise serious concerns about how the bill would interfere with an employer’s ability to manage operations, conduct investigations, and maintain compliance with both internal policies and state law. The coalition also flags the potential for confusion and risk introduced by the bill’s prescriptive requirements, including real-time surveillance notifications and restrictions on remote work monitoring.

You can read the full letter below.

Thanks to our Vice President of Advocacy, Linda Caprara, for closely tracking the latest developments on the state budget. The Appropriations Committee wrapped up work on L.D. 210 early Saturday morning, and the amended bill includes several key provisions impacting Maine businesses and taxpayers, from tax increases on streaming, tobacco, and real estate transfers to adjustments in education funding and child tax credits.

Below is Linda's summary: 

SUMMARY OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GOVERNOR’S PART II BUDGET BILL L.D. 210

The Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs concluded their work sessions on the Part II Budget Bill L.D. 210 in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 14th. The Committee voted along party lines, with Democrats voting in favor of L.D. 210 as amended and Republicans voting against the bill. The Office of Fiscal and Program Review is in the process of preparing the amendments and the legislation may be formally discharged from the Appropriations Committee as soon as this morning. This is a snapshot of what is in the proposed budget bill L.D. 210 as amended.

The Committee voted to continue free community college for two years and eliminated the provision in the budget that makes free community college permanent, but the Committee also voted to reduce funding for the community college system by $2.5 million over the two years. Lawmakers also voted to provide $5.9 million toward school meals for all children. The amended budget closes a funding gap of $122 million for Maine Care and doubles the child tax credit from $300 to $600. The budget also increases general assistance funding by $4 million. The Committee used one-time money of $24 million realized from the estate tax as additional revenue.

MAJOR NEW TAX PROVISIONS

• Increases Tobacco/Tobacco Products Tax by $1.50 per pack
• 50 cent per gallon tax on paint
• Changes in Cannabis Law Increases Tax from 10-14% shifts burden from growers to consumers
• Additional Taxes on Private Pensions, phases out the pension deduction for non-military pensions under the income tax based on the income of the taxpayer. The original proposal would have impacted over 22,000 taxpayers. It’s not clear how many taxpayers would be impacted under the new proposal. Phase-out begins for incomes over $125,000 single, $187,500 heads of household and $250,000 for married filing jointly.
• Increases the real estate transfer tax from $2.50 to $6 per $500 for real estate sales above $1 million
• Pays for public employees share of Paid Family Medical Leave for employees of Maine’s community college system, the University of Maine system and the Maine Maritime Academy.
• Sales Tax applied to Digital Streaming Services such as Netflix and Spotify.