The Maine Technology Institute announced their challenge grant awards to Maine companies that included:  Pleasant River Lumber Co., Dover-Foxcroft: $4,226,000 awarded toward a total $12 million project expanding and modernizing its Dover-Foxcroft facility with the addition of a new planer mill, continuous dry kiln and high-speed small-log sawing line.

According to MTI, Pleasant River Lumber - which has 300 employees statewide and additional facilities in Jackman, Sanford, Hancock and Clinton - plans to use the latest technology "to efficiently process small logs and balsam fir, both of which currently lack sufficient markets in Maine. This will help meet the needs of Maine landowners and also provide by-products for the recovering paper mill industry and lumber for the growing Cross Laminated Timber markets."

Maine Farmland Trust has awarded grants to four farms of approximately $50,000 to implement changes in order to scale up their businesses. The farms participated in the 201 track of MFT's Farming for Wholesale program and spent two years working with business advisors to research and define business plans focused on scaling up for wholesale markets. These implementation grants are competitive and applications undergo an extensive review process by a committee comprised of MFT staff and industry consultants.

The 2018 crop of grantees, all of who received around $50,000, include Tide Mill Creamery in Edmunds, Two Farmers Farm in Scarborough, Herbal Revolution in Union, and Broadturn Farm in Scarborough. The farms will use the grant funds to scale-up infrastructure, equipment, and expand marketing efforts.