Business news

Bangor

Emergency loans for farmers

Maine farmers in 13 counties who suffered crop losses as a result of excessive rainfall during the growing season may be eligible to receive loan assistance through the federal government.

Aroostook, Franklin, Oxford and Penobscot counties were designated as primary disaster areas due to losses caused by extreme rainfall that began June 1, 2003, and occurred throughout the growing season.

Loan funds can be used to restore or replace essential property, pay all or part of production costs associated with the disaster year, pay essential family living expenses, reorganize the operation or refinance debt.

Farmers have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for the loans. The agency will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.

Interested farmers should call 947-3555, Ext. 2, for more information.

Heavy equipment showcase

Associated Constructors of Maine held a showcase of students in its heavy equipment operator program April 8 at a mock construction site at Lane Construction Corp. on Odlin Road.

All 55 students enrolled in the program are displaced paper mill workers who are being educated by ACM under a federal retraining grant.

Officials said they anticipated that the graduates’ new skills would translate into job opportunities as they help fill Maine’s growing demand for qualified construction equipment operators.

Corinth

Subway restaurants

New Subway restaurants opened April 14 in Corinth and Gouldsboro.

The Corinth Subway is located in Tradewinds Market at 689 Main St.

Franchisee Brian Hansen co-owns the stores with partners Bill Sovis and Wade Hill.

The new locations will be open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

There are more than 90 Subway restaurants in Maine, 11 of which are owned by Sovis and Hansen.