Boom or dust? How tariffs impact Maine sawmills

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I grew up on a small farm in Maine where we cut our own firewood. It’s how I learned to swing an axe. Every fall we chucked the dried logs into the dirt cellar and piled them to the ceiling, to be used throughout the winter to feed our giant woodstove that heated the house. It was one way we used the woods around us.

Maine has relied on its forests for generations to also power industry. This week Emmett Gartner, our environment reporter, provides us with a new look at what has been happening with sawmills: Some are growing. Emmett got to tour one in Enfield that recently expanded its business. The co-owners, who are brothers, explained why.

Take a minute to watch the video of how their logs become lumber, largely with the use of mechanized equipment. For those of us who have stacked wood by hand, it will be all the more striking. Thank you, as always, for reading us and sharing this newsletter with your friends.

— Erin

Boom or dust? How tariffs are helping this Maine sawmill but creating more uncertainty for others

Duties on Canadian imports are driving up domestic sales at some Maine lumber companies. Is it enough to overcome high operating costs and a slumping housing market?

Read this story by Emmett Gartner

An aggressive campaign against Hannaford doesn’t seem to be hurting business: The New England Consumer Alliance, located in Pennsylvania, began by focusing on Hannaford’s sale of eggs from caged hens. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News

What can we learn from zooplankton?: Meet the researchers using the tiny crustaceans to monitor endangered whales and climate change in the Gulf of Maine. Read this story by Julia Tilton

The crowded race to replace a term-limited lawmaker includes her husband: Four Republicans are already vying for the seat held by term-limited Republican Sen. Stacey Guerin of Glenburn. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and BDN

‘It’s okay to ask for help’: Groups from different faith backgrounds discuss their work helping Mainers in need: Leaders from Greater Bangor Area Street Pastors, Hope Haven Gospel Mission and Catholic Charities joined The Maine Monitor for a conversation about their work providing social services across Maine. Read this Maine Monitor story and watch the discussion

Know of a story The Maine Monitor should look into? Click the banner to contact our newsroom.

Note: Monitor Local publishes stories on Downeast and Western Maine every Saturday. Here are two highlights from this weekend. For more, visit our website.

Bankruptcy bill tabled for possible second public hearing: The amended version focuses on stricter county compliance with required audits and possible assistance from the Office of the State Auditor. Read this story by Judith Meyer

Farmington developing master plan for cemeteries: The brick wall at Fairview Cemetery that was demolished last summer is to be replaced with a line of granite hitching posts connected by iron chains. Read this story by Ben Hanstein

ACA tax credit negotiations have stalled. Senators can’t even agree on a reason why: Sen. Susan Collins, a key negotiator, said a path forward was “possible” but “certainly difficult.” Read this story by Avani Kalra of NOTUS

Democrats say running against corruption is a winning midterm message: More than 120 candidates are part of the End Citizens United anti-corruption initiative. Read this story by Torrie Herrington of NOTUS for The Maine Monitor

ICE demanded Maine sheriff’s employment records following his criticism of arrest: The subpoena came a day after Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce blasted immigration agents for arresting one of his guards. Read this story by Callie Ferguson and Sawyer Loftus of the BDN

Have feedback or a correction to send to Erin Rhoda? Send it to her directly via email: erin@themainemonitor.org.

The Maine Monitor is a publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit news organization that produces investigative journalism. We believe news is a public good and keep our news free to access. We have no paywall and do not charge for our newsletters. If you value the reporting we do for Maine, please consider making a donation! We cannot do this reporting without your support.

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