Paquin & Carroll Insurance, and Maine Community Bank welcome new team members.
BUSINESS | May 29, 2026 BRIEFCASE
Category: BUSINESS NEWS
Stories and updates about Biddeford’s diverse and dynamic business community
COMMUNITY | Emma Bouthillette joins Gazette team
Emma Bouthillette -- a marketer, writer, yoga instructor, corgi mom and native of Biddeford -- has joined the Biddeford Gazette’s Community Advisory Council.
BUSINESS | May 22, 2026 Briefcase
Paquin & Carroll; Rousseau Insurance and Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution all welcomed new team members this month.
NEWS | Report shows Maine’s economy is lagging with opportunities on the horizon
Local businesses are feeling an economic pinch, but a new report provides suggested action steps that could improve Maine's overall economy
BUSINESS | Chamber leads launch of Sweetser fundraising effort
CONTRIBUTED STORY | Biddeford + Chamber of Commerce The Biddeford+Saco Chamber of Commerce is partnering 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 for Maine youth. According to Sweetser, the new facility will fill a critical gap in Maine’s … Continue reading BUSINESS | Chamber leads launch of Sweetser fundraising effort
NEWS | Local businesses donate $20k to support state’s first psychiatric residential treatment facility
Saco & Biddeford Savings and Paquin & Carroll Insurance are proud to announce their $20,000 donation to Sweetser in support of the construction of Maine’s first Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility on Sweetser’s Saco campus. CONTRIBUTED STORY | Saco & Biddeford Savings and Paquin & Carroll Insurance are proud to announce their $20,000 donation to Sweetser … Continue reading NEWS | Local businesses donate $20k to support state’s first psychiatric residential treatment facility
Area leaders hear about CMP’s upgrade plan
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor More than two dozen local community and business leaders attended a special event sponsored by the Biddeford + Saco Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday to learn more about Central Maine Power (CMP) and how the utility delivers electricity to more than 670,000 residential and commercial customers in Maine. Linda Ball … Continue reading Area leaders hear about CMP’s upgrade plan
Walmart plans to upgrade, expand its Biddeford store
The company is also planning to upgrade two of its other locations in Maine and says the renovation will provide significant economic impact and provide numerous community benefits [ Contributed story via Walmart ] According to a corporate press release, Walmart plans to remodel three stores in Maine this year, including its Biddeford location on … Continue reading Walmart plans to upgrade, expand its Biddeford store
Biddeford Gazette announces three new advisory council members
John Gold, Kayla J. Lewis and Annika Sovetsky each bring a unique set of talents and perspectives to the Gazette's Community Advisory Council John Gold Kayla J. Lewis Annika Sovetsky ____________ By RANDY SEAVER | Editor The Biddeford Gazette is very pleased to announce that three more community members have joined our Community Advisory Council. … Continue reading Biddeford Gazette announces three new advisory council members
Westbrook Development Breaks Ground on Thatcher Brook Apartments in Biddeford
[Contributed Story] A new 40-unit affordable housing community at 37 Barra Road marks Westbrook Development's first project in Biddeford and the first phase of a broader housing partnership with the city Westbrook Development Corporation (WDC), in partnership with the city of Biddeford, is proud to announce the groundbreaking of Thatcher Brook Apartments, a new 40-unit … Continue reading Westbrook Development Breaks Ground on Thatcher Brook Apartments in Biddeford
St. James School opens enrollment
The parochial school is celebrating a long legacy in Biddeford, and ‘unplugged’ academic excellence [Contributed Story] BIDDEFORD -- Saint James School, a cornerstone of the Biddeford community for over a century, officially announced the opening of enrollment for the next school year. Positioning itself as a leader in the regional educational landscape, the school is … Continue reading St. James School opens enrollment
UNE puts 166 new doctors into the world
The University of New England recently announced that 166 graduating physicians have matched to residencies in Maine, New England and Beyond [Contributed Story | By ALAN BENNETT, University of New England PORTLAND/BIDDEFORD — The University of New England today announced that 166 graduating physicians have matched to residencies in Maine, New England, and beyond, with more than 50 … Continue reading UNE puts 166 new doctors into the world
Doug Sanford | A preacher’s son, developer
For nearly 50 years, Biddeford's most iconic 'bootstrap developer" has demonstrated a deep love for the city. By RANDY SEAVER | Editor When looking back over the last 50 years of Biddeford’s history, there is no question that Doug Sanford played an extraordinarily pivotal and significant role in resurrecting a community that was brimming with … Continue reading Doug Sanford | A preacher’s son, developer
Pendleton takes on new role
A well-known community leader and volunteer, Craig Pendleton has joined the Biddeford Gazette’s board of directors CRAIG PENDLETON BIDDEFORD | Biddeford Gazette, Inc. – the parent company of the Biddeford Gazette -- is pleased to announce that Craig Pendleton of Old Orchard Beach has formally joined the Gazette’s board of directors as the corporation’s treasurer. … Continue reading Pendleton takes on new role
Chamber congratulates Rousseau Insurance
The Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce congratulates Rousseau Insurance Agency on the recent purchase of the home, auto, and business insurance book of business from Maine Insurance Benefits Group, following the retirement of agency principal Rand Clark. As part of this transition, Rousseau Insurance has welcomed the clients of Maine Insurance Benefits Group and will continue … Continue reading Chamber congratulates Rousseau Insurance
Nursing scholarships are again available
Regular Gazette readers may recall that Eliza Doyon – a 2025 Biddeford High School graduate – was one of only four students in New England who was chosen last year for an annual scholarship awarded each year by FedPoint, a wholly-owned subsidiary of John Hancock Life & Health Insurance company. RELATED |BHS grad sets her … Continue reading Nursing scholarships are again available
Bounce Pickle + Play celebrates grand opening
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whatever happened to the former Smitty’s Cinema in Biddeford’s Five Points shopping center, wonder no more. The 140,000-square-foot space is now home to Bounce Pickle and Play – where Country Club meets Sports Bar -- or so says their marketing slogan. On Thursday, the Biddeford-Saco … Continue reading Bounce Pickle + Play celebrates grand opening
Chamber hires new director
The Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce announced Saturday that Alex MacPhail has been named as the agency's executive director. MacPhail, the husband of Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail, is well known in the Biddeford–Saco region. According to a press release, MacPhail brings "strong connections with local businesses, community partners, and municipal offices. His familiarity with the Chamber’s … Continue reading Chamber hires new director
Champions offers friendly, relaxed atmosphere
If you’re looking for a friendly, relaxed place to watch the Patriots game; or if you just want to gather with some of your friends and enjoy a wide array of pub-style food, search no more because Champion’s Sports Bar in Biddeford is the place to be. Champions was first opened in Saco in 1993. … Continue reading Champions offers friendly, relaxed atmosphere
Boys & Girls Club gets ‘big surprise’
Contributed Story/ Special to the Gazette Members of the Southern Maine Boys & Girls Club got a special surprise on Wednesday when they were presented with a new passenger van to support the many programs the Club offers to area youth. The van was donated by Bridgestone Retail Operations as part of an ongoing celebration … Continue reading Boys & Girls Club gets ‘big surprise’
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 