Businesses of all kinds are stepping up to help one another and our fellow Mainers during the pandemic. Whether it is donating food, innovating COVID-19 test kits, making medical gear or hand sanitizer, training workers in needed fields, or making sure kids have access to the internet to do their school work, Maine businesses are making extraordinary contributions in this crisis.
Fighting COVID-19 and supporting our Healthcare Professionals
April 8, 2020 - Maine manufacturing company is producing thousands of face shields

Thermoformed Plastics of New England (TPNE) in Biddeford is now manufacturing face shields for healthcare workers fighting the coronavirus.
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Source: WMTW
SEE THE STORY HERE
April 7, 2020 - Several Maine businesses ramp up production, hire workers in fight against COVID-19

From testing technology to protection for scientists, companies across the state are putting themselves at the forefront. 

Source: NewsCenter Maine
SEE THE STORY HERE
April 7, 2020 - ​Biddeford manufacturer pivots to produce personal protection equipment

Donated face shields created by Thermoformed Plastics of New England are being distributed by the thousands to health care facilities and first responders in Maine and New Hampshire.

Source: Portland Press Herald
SEE THE STORY HERE
April 7, 2020 -​Scarborough manufacturer's device may help more COVID-19 patients breathe

A Scarborough company, Amplify Additive, is developing a device to make more efficient use of scarce medical ventilators, desperately needed to treat patients with COVID-19.

Source: Mainebiz 
​SEE THE STORY HERE
April 6, 2020 - Maine Acts of Kindness: Portland hotel donates 50 rooms to health care workers

Clarion Hotel is providing space at no cost so Maine Medical Center and Mercy Hospital employees on the coronavirus front line can rest and recharge.

Source: Portland Press Herald
SEE STORY HERE
April 6, 2020 - ​Maine lab genetically modifies mice for COVID-19 research

A world-renowned laboratory in Bar Harbor is playing an important role in coronavirus research.

Source: NewsCenter Maine
SEE STORY HERE
April 4, 2020 - ​Central Maine distillers turn from spirits to sanitizer

With demand for craft spirits dropping following the closure of bars and restaurants across Maine, distillers are turning their talents to crafting high-proof alcohol needed to make hand sanitizer.

Source: Central Maine Newspapers
SEE STORY HERE
April 3, 2020 - ​Maine biotech companies stepping up, and hiring, in COVID-19 fight

Maine’s life science companies, representing a variety of products and services, are finding themselves on the forefront of the worldwide effort to stop COVID-19 and adding employees as they increase production.

Source: Mainebiz
SEE THE STORY HERE
April 2, 2020 - Maine t-shirt company switches to making protective masks

Rogue Wear says it is switching some of its production from athletic products to stitching protective masks.

Source: WGME-13
SEE THE STORY HERE
April 1, 2020 - BIW donates more than 3,000 protective masks to health workers in Maine

The N95 respirator masks were donated to MaineHealth, and will go to hospitals and facilities that the health system operates across the state.

Source: Portland Press Herald
SEE THE STORY HERE
April 1, 2020 - New drive-through test site for COVID-19 to open in South Portland

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in Maine and ConvenientMD will operate the site on Gannett Drive, but anyone who wants a test must be evaluated and make an appointment.

Source: Portland Press Herald
SEE THE STORY HERE
March 18, 2020 - Maine lab starts breeding mice for coronavirus vaccine

As the global coronavirus outbreak brings the world economy to a near halt.

Source: Bangor Daily News
SEE THE STORY HERE
March 28, 2020 - FDA fast-tracks COVID-19 testing device made in Scarborough

The test can detect COVID-19 in as little as five minutes, and the company that makes it is manufacturing them in Maine.

Source: NewsCenter
SEE THE STORY HERE
March 29, 2020 - Brunswick based STARC Systems to ramp up production of containment units amid coronavirus battle

Officials are doubling production of containment units that can be used to create instant isolation rooms and quarantine sections in hospitals.

Source: Times Record
SEE THE STORY HERE

March 28, 2020 - ​Fireball whisky maker to produce hand sanitizer

Whisky distillers are stepping up to make hand sanitizer, which has been in short supply for consumers and businesses during the coronavirus outbreak.

Source: Bangor Daily News
SEE THE STORY HERE
March 24, 2020 - Northern Maine factory making coronavirus testing swabs

As factories around the state, and the world, shut down due to the coronavirus, one plant in northern Maine has no choice but to remain open.

Source: WGME
SEE THE STORY HERE
Helping our Community
April 8, 2020 - ​JMG gives $300,000 to students for groceries

Relationship-based approach more critical during COVID-19.

Source: Center Maine Newspapers
SEE THE STORY HERE
April 7, 2020 - Hannaford triples donation to food banks, homeless outreach in 5 states
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The supermarket chain is giving $750,000 to COVID-19 response efforts, including $225,000 to organizations in Maine.

Source: Portland Press Herald
​SEE THE STORY HERE
Helping our Workforce and Customers
April 6, 2020 - Spectrum hiring 100 workers, giving across-the-board raises in Portland

As it attempts to expand its Portland call center, the cable TV and internet provider is hiring and giving current employees a $1.50-an-hour raise.

Source: Portland Press Herald
SEE THE STORY HERE 
April 6, 2020 - ​Auto Insurer To Give Back $1.3 Million In Mainers' Premiums

The insurer Allstate announced Monday that $1.3 million will go to Maine policyholders as part of a “Shelter in Place Payback.”

Source: MainePublic
SEE THE STORY HERE
April 7, 2020 - ​As pandemic worsens, UMPI, nonprofit team to open homeless shelter on campus

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is teaming up with a community agency and other partners to use the UMPI gymnasium as a temporary homeless shelter during the coronavirus pandemic.

Soure: Mainebiz
​SEE STORY HERE
April 7, 2020 - Heart of it all: Maine company makes flags to support restaurants and health care workers

The Maine Flag Company is hand-making flags to support local restaurants and healthcare workers during the coronavirus outbreak.

Source: WMTW
SEE STORY HERE
April 6, 2020 - Northern Light Rehab offers online exercise & rehab classes in lieu of COVID-19

Technology is bringing cardiac rehab directly into patients’ homes.

Source: FOX 22
SEE THE STORY HERE
March 31, 2020 - ​Maine Family-Owned Factory Cranks Out Rolls Of 'White Gold' As Demand For Toilet Paper Soars

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the panic-buying of certain items, notably paper products - and toilet paper in particular

Source: MainePublic
SEE THE STORY HERE
April 6, 2020 - Maine brewery helps to raise money for struggling hospitality workers

Hundreds of breweries are joining forces to raise money for hospitality workers who are struggling, and some Mainers are taking part.

Source: WGME
SEE STORY HERE
March 27, 2020 - ​Maine Acts of Kindness: Taking care of those on the front line of the pandemic

Three Portland restaurants are part of an effort that delivers free meals to health care workers – and assists the struggling restaurants as well.

Source: Portland Press Herald
SEE THE STORY HERE
March 25, 2020 - CMP parent company pledges $2 million to pandemic relief​

Central Maine Power Co. parent Avangrid Inc. and its Avangrid Foundation are making a commitment to support national and local organizations.

Source: Portland Press Herald
SEE THE STORY HERE
April 1, 2020 - Machias Savings offers $100K in grants for Maine nonprofits

Stepping up to help Maine nonprofits that may be struggling during the public health crisis, Machias Savings Bank launched a $100,000 Rapid Response Program to assist organizations in need.

Source: Mainebiz
SEE THE STORY HERE
April 1, 2020 - Locals come together to manufacture face shields at Challenger Learning Center of Maine

 A group of healthcare workers, local residents, churches and more have come together to help meet the needs of local hospitals.

Source: WABI
SEE THE STORY HERE
March 31, 2020 - Northern Light Health sets up COVID-19 screening hotline

Northern Light Health has set up a COVID-19 screening hotline. It's a resource for those who are wondering whether they should get tested.

Source: WABI
SEE THE STORY HERE
March 31, 2020 - ​L.L. Bean among Maine businesses making PPE

L.L. Bean expects it will be able to produce 10,000 'sneeze masks' per day when it is up to full production capabilities.

Source: NewsCenter
SEE THE STORY HERE
March 27, 2020 - Southern Maine business leaders move quickly to address blood shortage

'Distance Saves Lives' blood drives will be held each of the next 10 Wednesdays with a goal of producing more than 1,000 pints of donated blood.

Source: Portland Press Herald
SEE THE STORY HERE
March 29, 2020 - Shoemaker with Maine factories will be producing face masks

New Balance is the latest manufacturer to say it will start producing personal protective equipment to fill the shortages of medical supplies caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

Source: Bangor Daily News
SEE THE STORY HERE
March 31, 2020 - New Balance to start producing face masks to help prevent spread of coronavirus

A representative for the company said that while information about production at central Maine locations is not yet available, the goal is to have all New England factories producing personal protective equipment once a prototype is made.

Source: Central Maine Newspapers
SEE THE STORY HERE
March 24, 2020 - L.L. Bean boxing food, not flannel, to help during pandemic​

The outdoors retailer is lending space and employees to help the Good Shepherd Food Bank get food to Mainers who need it during the pandemic.

Source: Portland Press Herald
SEE THE STORY HERE

March 20, 2020 - Hannaford Supermarkets Commits Quarter Million Dollars to Area Foodbanks

Hannaford Supermarkets announced today its commitment to donate $250,000 to support area foodbanks that are experiencing increasing and unprecedented demand during the widening of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The monies will be distributed to foodbanks in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont and New York. 

Source: Hannaford
SEE THE STORY HERE
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 128 State Street | Suite 101 | Augusta, ME 04330-5630
 Phone: (207) 623-4568
For media inquiries, please contact Jen Webber, (207) 939-0213
For membership inquiries, please contact Mark Ellis. (207) 623-4568