The Maine Dream:
Realizing the American Dream without having to move away.
We’re jumpstarting the dialog about the things that hold Maine back, and knocking down barriers so we can thrive.
Maine for Keeps: A movement to ensure the American Dream is alive and well right here in Maine.
The Maine for Keeps Podcast with Jonathan Bush
The Maine for Keeps Podcast is a weekly series of high-level conversations with business and community leaders about the impediments to doing business in Maine and ideas to unleash our economy.
This week’s episode of the Maine for Keeps Podcast features Andrew Bonarrigo, who built his masonry business in the Midcoast literally brick by brick. Andrew and Jonathan discuss the ups and downs of starting a company in Maine, and some solutions to make it easier for businesses like Andrew’s to grow.
The Wall of Shame
Maine is an amazing state, but there are so many avoidable problems that are holding us back. Every day we see more and more examples of this, from straight-out mistakes with the implementation of government programs to upside-down rules and regulations that make it harder for Maine people to get ahead. We’re keeping track of these issues on our Wall of Shame so we can urge our public officials to fix them.
Local rules mean less housing at old Brewer vacuum shop
Another example of errant regulation exacerbating the housing crisis.
Maine to require 20 inches of insulation in new homes
Maine’s new energy efficiency requirements are forcing new homes to have 20″ of attic insulation, driving some home costs up by as much as $15,000.
Different computer systems present challenges to Maine police departments across county lines
Did you know that Maine’s police departments do not have an integrated computer system? This means investigators need to place phone calls to neighboring jurisdictions to get critical information.
Towns in Southern Maine mandating sprinkler systems for new homes
Despite a housing crisis across the state, some Maine towns are forcing new single-family home owners to install expensive sprinkler systems.