Business News From Around the State

Statewide: Following Portland’s lead, fees on bags are being considered by Topsham, Brunswick, and York; Maine’s unemployment rate in March dropped .2% to 4.8%; Home sales and the median sales price in Maine continued to increase in March. Southern: The Federal Aviation Administration approved Cumberland-based Sevee & Maher Engineers use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV or drone); Governor Paul LePage’s administration revoked South Portland’s designation of being “business friendly” when the town voted to enact a ban on the export of tar sands oil; The Portland Jetport received a $917,000 federal grant to help it plan for future growth while focusing on economic and environmental sustainability. Central & Western: A federal court ruled against Manchester-based J&S Oil in its attempt to recoup losses for an oil spill; The Maine Human Rights Commission has ruled that there is reason to believe Shaner’s Family Restaurant in Paris discriminated against a pregnant waitress; the Skowhegan Board of Assessors voted to deny Sappi’s tax abatement request. Midcoast & Downeast: Camden’s United Mid-Coast Charities ex- head Russell Brace has agreed to pay the charity $4.6 million for a settlement resulting from him embezzling from the charity when he was its head; The International Association of Machinists Union Local S6 at Bath Iron Works is suing the shipyard over allegations that the company’s plan to change job descriptions is a violation of its contract with workers; Portland-based Wireless Partners LLC said it is planning to expand high speed cellular and broadband service to underserved Downeast areas. Northern & Eastern: The Maine Small Business Development Centers is holder a new business plan competition, the Katahdin Business Plan Challenge, whose aim is to support sustainable business growth in the Katahdin Regio