Maine Business in June 2026: New Housing, Retail Turnover and Factory Wins

June brought a mix of new development, retail turnover and manufacturing news across Maine. Banks, startups and manufacturers all made headlines alongside housing and infrastructure funding.

Real estate and development

Housing advocates said Maine's Legislative session brought both wins and losses on the state's home shortage, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
Auburn broke ground on a new public safety building, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
Auburn set out to define its housing needs after a study flagged a shortage, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
The former Unity campus sold for $6 million after three years on the market, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
Rumford gained 18 affordable apartments through the Dooryard project, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
Lewiston's redeveloped Maine MILL opened, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
Site work got underway for a 325-unit apartment building on Portland's Washington Avenue, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)

Retail

TrueValue in Freeport closed, and its inventory will be auctioned, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
Five Below is entering Biddeford's crowded discount retail market, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
Chick-fil-A plans to open its third Maine location, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
L.L.Bean set a September opening date for its rebuilt Freeport store, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
Tiny Homes of Maine closed quietly and abruptly after 10 years in business, Bangor Daily News reported. (Bangor Daily News)
A Freeport cinema reopened, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)

Food and drink

Ziggi's Coffee is set to return to Saco after a closure that outlasted its original run, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
Tootie's Tempeh and Bixby Chocolate were among Maine winners in national food awards, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
Employee housing costs pushed a Wells diner into Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
A whiskey snack maker got a new base through a $2.4 million Bayside purchase, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
Portland dining pioneer Dana Street won a James Beard Award, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)

Manufacturing and industry

Robbins Lumber returned to full operations two weeks after a fire, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
Defense demand drove a record backlog at precision manufacturer Elmet, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
An Aroostook County sawmill expansion will double its space and production, Bangor Daily News reported. (Bangor Daily News)
Precision manufacturer Elmet landed a $4.3 million government contract, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
Norridgewock and Maine Grains are eyeing a partnership at the town's closed New Balance factory, Bangor Daily News reported. (Bangor Daily News)
An Augusta manufacturer backed by FAME filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)

Finance and banking

Community Credit Union plans to shift its Lewiston branch footprint, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
Maine home sales fell by nearly 3% in May, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
The Maine Bankers Association recruited its next leader from the national ranks, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
With a Portland foothold established, NBT Bank looks to add branches across southern Maine, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
Bangor Savings Bank issued $711 million in home loans last year after a steep drop in 2024, Bangor Daily News reported. (Bangor Daily News)
Bangor Savings' parent company doubled its net income for the fiscal year, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)

Deals and startups

Sandy Pines Campground sought court approval for a $13.5 million sale to a Tennessee buyer, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
A Saco startup stole the show at the Dirigo pitch competition, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
A Portland industrial supplier was acquired by a Pennsylvania peer company, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
A Rockland vacation-rental firm added 400 homes to its portfolio, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
A Kittery ocean data startup received backing from the Maine Angels investor fund, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)

Jobs and leadership

An Augusta company that manages software for federal programs got a new CEO, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
UMaine expanded its nursing education offerings with new advanced degrees, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
A workforce-focused educator will lead Central Maine Community College, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
A Bangor native will lead a rehabilitation hospital set to open in October, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)

Infrastructure and funding

Maine's rollout of its middle mile fiber network moved forward, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
A Brooksville pier and a Lewiston center were among 17 projects awarded funding, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
Wind farms are coming to northern Maine, though grid bottlenecks remain a challenge, The Boston Globe reported. (The Boston Globe)
The EPA committed $14.5 million for brownfields cleanup in Maine, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
Sweetser broke ground on a $7.9 million youth psychiatric residential treatment facility, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)
Oakland rolled out business grants for downtown facade upgrades, Mainebiz reported. (Mainebiz)