Business News

New business? Expansion? Promotions? E-mail information to weekly@bangordailynews.net, or mail it to The Weekly, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402; or drop it off at the front desk of the Buck Street entrance of the Bangor Daily News, 491 Main St., Bangor.

Workplace safety

BANGOR – The Maine Department of Labor’s SafetyWorks! program will offer a class on workplace safety that is free and open to the public.

Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman said, “The courses we’re offering this winter and spring give workers and employers the opportunity to improve working conditions. In addition to reducing injuries and illnesses, safe and healthy workplaces have higher morale, lower turnover, and better quality and productivity.”

In Bangor, starting March 18, SafetyWorks! will offer a 30-hour General Industry Standards class, a five-day overview of OSHA standards for general industries.

Advance registration is required.

For more information, a complete brochure or to register, call (877) SAFE-345, (877) 723-3345, or visit www.maine.gov/labor/blsmain.htm.

Expansion at OHI

BREWER – OHI Professional Development will hold an open house 3-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, to celebrate a recent expansion at its facility at 240 and 242 State Street, Twin City Plaza.

The festivities will include food, giveaways, mini-presentations and tours of the facility, which has more than doubled its space to include six classrooms, a computer lab and conference center.

“We developed classes because we saw a need within our own sector to better prepare ourselves to advocate for the people we support,” said OHI Director Deb Smith.

OHI, a nonprofit organization that supports people with disabilities, began its professional development division in 1996. The agency provides training to more than 60 agencies in Maine. Approximately 2,000 people attended OHI classes last year. That number is expected to double this year, said Smith.

In addition to many required classes for social service agency staff, Smith said, OHI also offers a management boot camp and an employee retention workshop for company executives. Presentation development and curriculum consulting services also are available.

The new facility, with the exception of the computer lab, is available for rental. To learn more, call Bonnie Cole at 989-4007, Ext. 202.