The average daily volume of Canadian motorists paying cash at tollbooths from May through August fell 43%, from 2,377 in 2024 to 1,339 this year.
Kelley Bouchard
Staff Writer
Kelley writes about some of the most critical aspects of Maine’s economy and future growth, including transportation, immigration, retail and small business, commercial development and tourism, with emphasis on consumer issues, sustainability and minority ownership. Her wider experience includes municipal and state government, education, history, human rights, health and elder care, the environment and the housing crisis. A Maine native and University of Maine graduate, she was a college intern for two summers at the former Lewiston Evening Journal. She previously worked at the Ipswich Chronicle, Beverly Times and Salem Evening News in Massachusetts. Favorite pastimes include gardening, cooking for family and friends, streaming foreign TV series and kayaking at camp.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Immigrant owners are preserving Maine’s variety stores and markets
New Mainers are buying and operating village markets and variety stores across the state, often in rural areas where they are preserving the only retail access to gas, groceries and other necessities for miles around.
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Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Summer swelter gives a boost to Maine’s tourism industry
With sunny days in July and August, numbers are up at Acadia National Park, the Portland International Jetport and on the Maine Turnpike, but declines continue for Canadian border crossings and cruise ship visits.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
As Trump ends DEI efforts, Maine conference helps businesses increase diversity hiring
Inclusion Maine conference draws employers who want to attract a more diverse workforce at a time when even holding the event runs counter to the Trump administration’s anti-DEI efforts.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, News
As global conflicts rage, Seeds of Peace participants gather in Maine to sow connection
The annual summer program brings together young people from regions in turmoil to help them foster dialogue, leadership skills and reconciliation in a peaceful setting.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, News
Mainers turn out to make ‘good trouble’ amid political turmoil
Demonstrations honoring late civil rights leader and former Congressman John Lewis take place across the state.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Will Trump’s planned price hike for Acadia’s foreign visitors hurt Maine tourism?
Details are still sparse on how one of the president’s latest executive orders will impact international tourists’ travel plans.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
New turnpike director outlines goals for Maine’s ‘economic backbone’
Andre Briere, executive director of the Maine Turnpike Authority, said he’s committed to bolstering trust, transparency, efficiency — and service plaza food options.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Maine Turnpike courts Shake Shack, Chick-fil-A for service plaza upgrades
The turnpike’s new executive director has reopened contract negotiations with the company that runs five service plazas along the toll highway.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Hannaford data breach affected more than 95,000 Mainers
Dutch-based parent company Ahold Delhaize USA encourages affected individuals to remain vigilant in protecting their personal information.