Articles and Editorials

Here we highlight articles by members of the MEREDA community and leaders in the Maine real estate community.

Recent Articles

Unveiling the Transformative Power of AI in the Modern Workplace

July 30, 2024

By: Stephanie Brock, RED THREAD, VP & GM Maine In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption isn’t just reshaping workplace dynamics; it’s ushering in a new era of...

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In Maine, Evolution Drives Economic Prosperity

July 2, 2024

By: James W. Dinkle, Executive Director, FirstPark Maine’s economy is strong, and the proof is in the proverbial pudding. In fact, our state economy is one of the strongest in...

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A minimalistic, empty room with light wooden flooring and white walls. The room features double-door white panels that are partially open, leading to another empty space with identical decor. The overall aesthetic is clean and modern.

Bad for Business…

June 18, 2024

By: Justin Lamontagne, CCIM, SIOR, Partner | Designated Broker, The Dunham Group The year was 2011, and a young, ambitious broker received a lead on a 30,000 SF industrial tenant...

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Image of 2023 MEREDA Notable Project Award Recipients

Maine Real Estate & Development Association Recognizes Top 7 Notable Projects of 2023

May 28, 2024

The Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA), the state’s leading organization promoting responsible real estate development, honored projects from Portland to Bangor to Presque Isle, with each receiving special...

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Unveiling the Transformative Power of AI in the Modern Workplace

July 30, 2024

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In Maine, Evolution Drives Economic Prosperity

July 2, 2024

By: James W. Dinkle, Executive Director, FirstPark Maine’s economy is strong, and the proof is in the proverbial pudding. In fact, our state economy is one of the strongest in...

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Bad for Business…

June 18, 2024

By: Justin Lamontagne, CCIM, SIOR, Partner | Designated Broker, The Dunham Group The year was 2011, and a young, ambitious broker received a lead on a 30,000 SF industrial tenant...

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Maine Real Estate & Development Association Recognizes Top 7 Notable Projects of 2023

May 28, 2024

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The Greater Portland Retail Forecast for 2024

May 14, 2024

On February 29th, 2024, Peter Harrington of Malone Commercial Brokers presented “The Greater Portland retail forecast for 2024” at the Maine Real Estate & Development Association’s (MEREDA’s) 2024 Annual Forecast...

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Maximizing energy tax credits for RE developers

July 25, 2023

By Anita S. Mahamed, Dannielle Lewis, Teri Samples | Partners at Wipfli The real estate industry can greatly benefit from energy tax credits and the changes made in the Inflation...

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Maine’s Housing Shortage Conundrum

June 27, 2023

By John Finegan | Associate Broker, The Boulos Company Like many states across the country, Maine has a housing crisis. The ripple effects of COVID and the needs of asylum...

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The 2023 Maine Capital Markets Outlook

May 2, 2023

By Chris Paszyc, CCIM, SIOR | The Boulos Company – Partner, Broker 2022 was the tale of two halves. I harken back to the 2017 Superbowl where the Patriots were...

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The Outstanding Seven: MEREDA’s 2019 Notable Project Recipients

July 14, 2020

PORTLAND, ME – July 13, 2020 – Every spring, MEREDA recognizes the most noteworthy and significant Maine commercial development projects from the previous year, all of which embody the Association’s mission...

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Maine Issues COVID-19 Guidance for Town Meetings

June 30, 2020

Throughout the pandemic, MEREDA members have navigated participating in various town public proceedings conducted virtually. Now, with the opening of municipal buildings and the need to accommodate municipal matters requiring...

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The 2020 MEREDA Index: A Look at the 2019 Data and a Review of Current Conditions

June 10, 2020

On Thursday, June 4th, MEREDA unveiled its 2020 MEREDA Index, at a free-to-attend virtual event to discuss the 2019 data, and apply that knowledge to today’s constantly-shifting landscape and unpredictable future. ...

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Construction Businesses: Navigating State and Federal COVID-19 Workplace Safety Requirements

May 12, 2020

On April 28, Governor Mills released Restarting Maine’s Economy, which lays out a plan for re-opening non-essential businesses. Businesses that were previously deemed essential, including construction businesses, may continue operations...

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Pandemic Leaves Landlords in a Difficult Position

April 21, 2020

by: Gary D. Vogel, Attorney, Drummond Woodsum, MEREDA President The coronavirus pandemic is affecting everyone. Many businesses are shut down, or are minimally operating. The CARES Act recently adopted by...

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Governor Mills issues Executive Order lifting in–person requirements for certain notarial acts and acknowledgements

April 16, 2020

On Wednesday, April 8, 2020, Governor Mills issued Executive Order 37 (EO 37), An Order Temporarily Modifying Certain In-Person Notarizations and Acknowledgement Requirements. This order relaxes certain legal requirements that...

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Maine Home Prices – Where do we go from here?

April 14, 2020

by: Dava Davin, Principal, Portside Real Estate Group When I presented at the 2020 MEREDA Real Estate Forecast Conference in January, I was full of good news and positivity in...

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Message from MEREDA’s President

April 7, 2020

To our Members: What a challenging time we find ourselves in! First and foremost, I hope this email finds you, your family, loved ones and coworkers safe and healthy. We...

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Successful CEO’s Look Back to Prepare Forward

March 31, 2020

by George E Casey Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Stockbridge Associates, LLC General Patton said he hated paying for the same real estate twice. You should feel the same about paying...

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Vital Ideas – The 1031 Dominoes

March 24, 2020

by Brit Vitalius, Principal, Designated Broker, Vitalius Real Estate Group In 2019, we saw 1031 exchanges used even more frequently than in past years. Interestingly, the variations in the transactions...

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Insider Notebook: Affordable housing initiative gets Mills boost

January 22, 2020

One of the louder and longer periods of sustained applause at Gov. Janet Mills’ state of the state address Tuesday night was when she called for more affordable housing support....

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MEREDA 2020 forecasters see another strong real estate year for Maine

January 17, 2020

Despite snow across the state, more than 900 real estate brokers, developers and others in the industry attended Thursday’s Maine Real Estate and Development Association 2020 Forecast and Conference. That...

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Maine real estate experts meet for annual conference

January 16, 2020

Thursday, real estate experts and business leaders from around Maine gathered for the annual forecast conference put on by the Maine Real Estate and Development Association. Click the Link Below...

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Booming real estate market challenges businesses, home buyers

January 16, 2020

Southern Maine’s superheated real estate market is presenting challenges to first-time home buyers and businesses that are trying to expand, and it shows no signs of cooling off. Click the...

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Workforce Shortage Among Factors Affecting Maine’s Real Estate Market, Says Trade Group Head

January 15, 2020

Maine, like the nation, has now seen economic growth that’s gone on unbroken for over a decade. That growth has been reflected in real estate development around the state. Will...

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MEREDA Celebrates 35 Years of Supporting Responsible Development in Maine!

December 1, 2019

Yes, it’s true, 2020 is MEREDA’s 35th Anniversary and we are proud to celebrate 35 years of service to our industry and our state! To mark this occasion, we are holding a...

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Maine’s real estate market: low inventory, high demand

May 10, 2019

In the latest report from the Maine Real Estate and Development Association, analysts say commercial real estate activity is cooling off, but residential is holding strong.

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Spring 2019 MEREDA Index Commentary – THE CONSTRUCTION COMPONENT – Richard Brescia, Cianbro

May 9, 2019

In late 2018 and early 2019, Cianbro continued to see strong construction demand, including increased interest and investment from sources outside of Maine. What’s more, the demand wasn’t concentrated in...

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Real estate trends point to a cooling economy, experts say

May 9, 2019

Experts at a Maine Real Estate and Development Association conference say the economic cycle that brought years of real estate market growth appears to be winding down.

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Spring 2019 MEREDA Index Commentary – THE RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT – Elise Kiely, Esq., Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty

May 9, 2019

Elise Kiely, Senior Vice President , Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty recently provided insight for the Spring 2019 Edition of the MEREDA Index by sharing her perspective on the Residential...

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Commercial real estate activity declines in Maine amid residential gains

May 8, 2019

Lackluster commercial real estate sales and lease transactions during the past six months depressed the overall activity in Maine’s real estate market, though residential activity and construction employment nudged up,...

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MEREDA spring real estate index: Commercial declines; residential, construction strong

May 8, 2019

There are fewer sales, fewer leases and less square footage involved in Maine commercial real estate over the past six months, but residential and construction are going strong, according to...

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MEREDA focuses on new approaches to housing at 2019 spring conference

May 8, 2019

The focus was on the future of housing in Maine, and new approaches to it, when several hundred real estate industry representatives gathered at the Maine Real Estate and Development...

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Spring 2019 MEREDA Index Commentary – THE COMMERCIAL COMPONENT – Joseph Porta, Porta & Co.

May 8, 2019

Joseph Porta, SIOR, Broker/Manager of Porta & Co. recently provided insight for the Spring 2019 Edition of the MEREDA Index by sharing his perspective on the Commercial Sector over the...

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Spring 2019 MEREDA Index Commentary – INTRODUCTION – Tim Soley, East Brown Cow Management, Inc.

May 7, 2019

Tim Soley, President of East Brown Cow Management, Inc. recently provided insight for the Spring 2019 Edition of the MEREDA Index by sharing his perspective on the markets overall. I’ve...

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Construction costs putting many projects on hold

May 1, 2019

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Six developers to be recognized by MEREDA

April 23, 2019

The top six real estate developments in Maine in 2018 have been selected by the Maine Real Estate and Development Association, the organization announced.

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MEREDA is Proud to Host its 7th Annual “Strikes for Scholars” Fundraising Event at Bayside Bowl in Portland on May 23

April 20, 2019

MEREDA is proud to host its 7th Annual “Strikes for Scholars” Fundraising Event at Bayside Bowl in Portland on May 23, 2019. “Strikes for Scholars” supports scholarships for Maine students pursuing studies in building trades,...

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Mills appoints Hannah Pingree as innovation director, urges Mainers to ‘take the long view’

January 22, 2019

Gov. Janet Mills moved Thursday on one of the first changes she promised as governor with the appointment of Hannah Pingree, former speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, to...

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How to navigate the coming ups and downs in the economy

January 22, 2019

Investors and retirees worried about the volatility in the stock market might take heart that economic indicators show a generally positive economy nationwide in 2019, with some notable exceptions.

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Booming real estate market makes housing for visa workers too expensive

January 22, 2019

One in two jobs in Maine is in hospitality, but hotels are finding it increasingly difficult to find staff because visa workers, which make up 10 percent of the workforce...

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Real estate development was strong, but not crazy, in 2018

January 22, 2019

Development in southern Maine continues to be strong, although somewhat tempered compared with the last two years. That was the takeaway from a daylong conference for real estate and development...

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Maine real estate market strong, but slowing

January 22, 2019

A report released on Thursday finds that Maine’s real estate market remains strong but is showing signs of slowing.

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MEREDA forecast: Modest growth expected, but concern over what’s ahead for the economy

January 22, 2019

The Maine Real Estate and Development Association’s annual outlook conference attracted more than 1,000 people on Thursday. Coming off a particularly strong year, the forecast in various sectors was cautiously...

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MEREDA Board of Directors votes to join the No on 1 campaign organized to defeat the referendum

August 6, 2018

This fall, Maine voters will face yet another ill-conceived citizen-initiated referendum that would establish a new tax to fund a home health care initiative. The proposed referendum would: * Impose...

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MEREDA Index: Real estate activity reaches record in first quarter

May 27, 2018

The MEREDA Index, a quarterly measure of real estate activity in Maine, reached a new record through the first quarter of 2018, driven primarily by rising prices in the residential...

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MPBN Maine Calling – Real Estate in Maine

February 1, 2018

Real estate is Maine’s number two driver of GDP (behind only healthcare). Maine has one of the highest home ownership rates in the nation. But many of those homes are energy-inefficient,...

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Developments around waterfront, downtown buoy Bangor real estate market

January 21, 2018

The Greater Bangor market for industrial, office and retail real estate is growing at a stable pace, with some exceptions. Vacancies at the Bangor Mall, Kmart, the former Verizon call...

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Brunswick Landing drives midcoast real estate activity

January 19, 2018

In 2017, Brunswick Landing continues to show strong growth in the Bath-Brunswick-Topsham region. The former Navy base houses 100 businesses that have created 1,500-plus jobs. More than 1 million square...

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NIMBY vs. YIMBY debate continues to guide development

January 19, 2018

Maine’s real estate industry continues to look for ways to turn NIMBY into YIMBY — “not in my back yard” to “yes in my back yard” — as it continues...

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MEREDA conference highlights demand, but lack of inventory

January 19, 2018

Vacancy rates are at or near historic lows in some areas, but the rents landlords are charging do not yet justify the cost of new construction. That’s one of the...

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MEREDA Index: State’s real estate activity hits 10-year high

January 18, 2018

The MEREDA Index, a quarterly measure of real estate activity in Maine, hit a 10-year peak through the third quarter of 2017, reaching 96 overall in a composite measurement covering...

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Southern Maine’s real estate market still riding high, experts say

January 18, 2018

Southern Maine’s real estate market is riding high on the strength of rising home values, booming tourism, a tight market for industrial properties and renewed interest in office construction. That was the...

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