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“Our findings tell us something really significant. Maine businesses want to be here, Maine investors want to be part of the Maine economy,” By Katie Clark, MSCCMDF, Contributing Writer May 12, 2026, The Maine State Chamber of Commerce and Maine Development Foundation today released Maine Economic Vision 2035, a new long-term economic roadmap outlining key goals and policy priorities to strengthen Maine’s competitiveness, support workforce and wage growth, increase investment

By Alex MacPhail, Executive Director BSCC, Contributing Writer Local Businesses are Stepping up—Who Will Join The Hope Challenge with us? May 12, 2026, The Biddeford+Saco Chamber of Commerce (BSCC) is proud to partner with Sweetser to launch The Hope Challenge—a community‑wide effort inviting local businesses to support the development of Sweetser’s new Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) for Maine youth. Promotional Poster This new PRTF will fill a critical ga

By Victoria Foley, Contributing Writer The proposed increase is approximately 26%, far outpacing inflation May 8, 2026, House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford), Senator Henry Ingwersen (D-York), and Representative Marc Malon (D-Biddeford), today issued the following statements in opposition to a 26% rate increase proposed by Maine Water: “This request could not come at a worse time for ratepayers who are facing strained household budgets just about everywhere they turn. This

By: Jason Litalien, Contributing Writer, Independent Candidate Maine Senate 32 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a program from the State that allows us to retain additional tax money received from that district without having to share it with the County or the State. When structured properly, TIFs can be a great tool for redevelopment. Unfortunately, that is where part of the problem begins. Another part of the problem is the Credit Enhancement Agreement, which is a public su

"If the proposed rate increase is approved it could go into effect by May 12, 2027" May 6, 2026, Residents from Saco, Biddeford, and Old Orchard Beach, met this evening at Saco City Hall to testify in front of State of Maine Public Utilities Commissioners and representives from Maine Water, regarding a recent proposed increase of approximately 26% for water bills of residents in the Saco-Biddeford area. L-R: Commissioner Carolyn Gilbert, Comissioner Philip Bartlett Utilities

By Chelsea Miller, SBSI, Contributing Writer May 6, 2026, Saco & Biddeford Savings (SBSI) is pleased to announce that Micah Smart has joined the organization as Senior Vice President and Director of Legal. Micah Smart Smart brings more than a decade of legal experience to SBSI. Most recently, he served as a partner at Murray, Plumb & Murray, where he worked in the firm’s Bankruptcy & Business Reorganization and Litigation practice groups, representing businesses, lenders and

"...in an effort to involve community members, Stantec will be hosting "public engagement feedback sessions, during the planning process". May 5, 2026, This past February we published a story announcing the City of Biddeford was "accepting proposals for the 5-Points intersection" located in the area of 392 Elm Street. The previous article about the proposal announcment can be viewed here: https://www.biddefordbuzz.com/post/biddeford-city-accepting-proposals-for-5-points-inte

"My belief is that.... the moratorium was in effect" - ZBA Board Member May 4, 2026, A big win for those who have expressed opposition to the University of New England building a new pier along the Saco River - at tonight's Biddeford Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) hearing, the ZBA voted to uphold the City's recent application denials issued to the University of New England pertaining to trees being "cleared" along the waterway, as well as the demolition of a building (Leonard

By Loren McCready, Contributing Writer April 30, 2026, The development at the end of Barra Road, including the recently announced Thatcher Brook Apartments, is being presented as progress in Biddeford. A closer look shows a pattern of decisions that prioritize speed and private return over long-term planning and public benefit. The financial structure makes that plain. Three separate Tax Increment Financing districts (TIFs) have been established for this area, along with a Cr

“I want to take a moment to thank Truc for her service to the city over these last nine months…. Looking ahead, the city will be engaging an interim city manager and a process from outside the organization... I know, this process will raise a lot of questions, and I want you to know that the council and I are committed and focused on serving the residents of Biddeford and keeping all of you involved. ” - Mayor Liam LaFountain, Biddeford April 28, 2026, This evening, Mayor LaF

April 27, 2026, the following letter was sent this evening to Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain from University of New England President Dr. James Herbert. In the letter, Dr. Herbert writes to the Mayor to discuss "current inability of the City leadership and the University to work together constructively." Later in the letter, Herbert reminds LaFountain, "As you know, you are in receipt of correspondence from UNE on April 15 requesting that you agree to an independent mediator

"Stepping away is a matter of professional integrity and self-respect... It is difficult for me to acknowledge, but I will be candid and say that had the full extent of these conditions---and the limitations imposed on this role-been apparent when I applied, I would not have pursued the position." April 27, 2026, Earlier today we shared the news that recently hired Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever has submitted her resignation to Mayor LaFountain and City Councilors effectiv

By Danica Lamontagne, Contributing Writer April 27, 2026, Truc Dever, hired last summer to replace former city manager Jim Bennett, submitted her letter of resignation to the Biddeford City Council and Mayor Liam LaFountain Sunday evening. During her time in Biddeford, Dever led the City through a difficult and demanding FY27 budget season and supported ongoing municipal operations. In her letter of resignation, the outgoing city manager acknowledged "the scope and complexity

April 23, 2026, In case you missed it, similarly to Portland, the City of Biddeford adopted a "Vacant Building Registration and Fee Ordinance" on April 1, 2025. City officials cited the purpose of the ordinance as a remedy to address what they deem as "negative impacts" from vacant buildings in Biddeford. According to the ordinance, A "vacant building" is a building or structure, regardless of its zoning designation, that meets either of the following criteria: Unoccupied or

April 23, 2026, A big change was made earlier today to federal cannabis policy by the Trump Administration when Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche, officially reclassified cannabis from a Schedule 1, to a Schedule 3 Substance. A release from the Justice Department explains that the reclassification "Places FDA-Approved Marijuana Products and Products Containing Marijuana Subject to a Qualifying State-issued License in Schedule III, Strengthening Medical Research While Ma

"If approved, CMP filings will lower bills by approximately $4 per month" April 22, 2026, According to officials from Central Maine Power (CMP), a new proposal from the company would lower monthly electric bills for Mainers. The release from the company reads: Central Maine Power (CMP), a subsidiary of Avangrid Inc., has submitted a one‑year rate proposal to the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC). This filing follows CMP’s recent request for the MPUC to review its 2025

By Deirdre Fleming Stires, Contributing Writer April 7, 2026, The University of New England hosted its bi-annual President's Forum Monday, April 6, at the Harold Alfond Forum in Biddeford bringing together faculty, staff students, and members of the larger Biddeford community to examine how American higher education became a flashpoint in the nation's culture wars — and what it might take to reclaim its footing. The discussion took place at a charged moment. Recent headlines

By Danica Lamontagne, Contributing Writer March 26, 2026, The City of Biddeford has contracted with Gorham Sand & Gravel to separate combined sewer lines on Alfred Street (between Summer Street and Porter Street), as well as Mt. Vernon Street, Birch Street, and Porter Street. The project is being completed as part of the City of Biddeford’s ongoing sewer separation efforts as required by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The previous single-pipe sewer system w

March 23, 2026, the following statement was sent directly to the Biddeford Buzz today from Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain regarding the recent dimissal of a court case brought forward by the City pertaining to the University of New England’s proposed pier. The dismissal and additional information about the complaint can be viewed here: https://www.biddefordbuzz.com/post/biddeford-court-dismisses-city-s-complaint-une-saco-river-corridor-commission Mayor LaFountain writes: “I

The ruling goes on to state, "even if the city had first requested the Commission reconsider the 2024 permit and waited for it to render a final agency action before appealing to this court, the deadline for judicial review is long expired under the Maine law." March 23, 2026, this past November the City of Biddeford filed a formal complaint with the York Judicial Court System seeking judicial review of a permit (#20-491) granted by the Saco River Corridor Commission, to the