Newsroom

Joined by Maine Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Heather Johnson, Governor Janet Mills recognized three Maine businesses as recipients of the Governor’s Award for Business Excellence (GABE) in a virtual ceremony today.

Governor Janet Mills today marked the one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 vaccination in Maine by thanking Maine people for helping to make the state one of the most vaccinated places in the country.

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement today on Danone North America’s “four part Northeast organic dairy transition plan.” The new plan comes in response to pressure from Governor Mills and officials who urged the company to provide financial support and other resources to organic dairy farms hurt by its sudden August 2021 decision not to renew milk contracts.

Administration’s plan to expand hospital capacity is expected to open an estimated 80 additional inpatient hospitals beds to care for Maine people

FEMA approves Mills Administration’s request for Federal health care workers at Maine Medical Center who are scheduled to arrive as early as this weekend

Governor Janet Mills announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved her request for a Federal COVID-19 Surge Response Team on behalf of Maine Medical Center (MMC) in Portland.

Mills Administration also requests Federal COVID-19 Response Teams from Biden Administration to supplement hospital staff and Maine National Guard

Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has activated additional members of the Maine National Guard to help alleviate short-term capacity constraints at hospitals and maintain access to inpatient health care services for Maine people amid a sustained surge of COVID-19.

• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Tuesday, December 7, and Wednesday, December 8
• Noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, December 9, and
• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, December 11.

Hours and dates of operation may vary from week to week, but vaccinations will be available at least three days per week through the end of the year. The updated schedule can be found on the Maine COVID-19 website.

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement today in honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day:

Registrations of electric vehicles, availability of public EV chargers, and installations of high-efficiency heat pumps all hit record levels in Maine in 2021

Orono, MAINE – To mark the one-year anniversary of Maine’s four-year climate plan, Maine Won’t Wait, Governor Janet Mills today unveiled two new initiatives to empower Maine communities to better protect themselves and their residents from the impacts of climate change.

Governor Janet Mills signed a proclamation declaring today, December 1, 2021 as World AIDS Day in Maine and issued the following statement:

Governor Janet Mills today released the following statement regarding the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529, also known as the Omicron variant:

“I have asked the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to closely track the new Omicron variant, particularly its severity, transmissibility, and its potential impact on Maine people and our health care systems.

In advance of Thanksgiving, Governor Janet Mills issued the following video statement today expressing gratitude for the people of Maine and wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving:

Mills Administration’s plan provides an estimated $126 million for new-hire and retention bonuses for home- and community-based employees

The Mills Administration today announced next steps in the Maine Offshore Wind Initiative’s effort to prepare Maine’s commercial seaports to advance the University of Maine’s patented floating offshore wind technology and attract offshore wind industry investment in Maine.

Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement:

Prudent fiscal management, Federal pandemic relief, and rising prices are expected to increase receipts to the State’s General Fund even in the face of flat tax rates

Following its meeting today, Maine’s nonpartisan Revenue Forecasting Committee (RFC) is expected to upgrade the State’s General Fund revenue forecast by approximately $822 million for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023, representing approximately a 9.7 percent increase over previous projections for the current fiscal year and next.

Governor Janet Mills announced today that the Maine Technology Institute (MTI) is now accepting applications for Phase 1 of the Forestry Recovery Initiative, a multi-phase grant program to support Maine’s forest products industry and the people it employs, create and sustain jobs in rural Maine, and strengthen the state’s economy.

Governor also sends letter to NECEC urging them to voluntarily halt construction of power line until the DEP and the Court reach their independent conclusions

Pursuant to Article IV, Part Third, Section 19 of the Maine Constitution, Governor Janet Mills today signed proclamations certifying the results of the November 2, 2021 election, including:

Governor Mills and Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher issued the following statements today on the U.S. Court of Appeals’ decision to reinstate a 967 square mile fisheries closure off the Maine coast. The closure had been temporarily suspended by U.S. District Court Judge Lance Walker in October as a result of a lawsuit filed by the Maine Lobster Union.

Governor Janet Mills announced today that, effective immediately, all Maine adults age 18 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster shot, regardless of underlying medical condition. Expanding booster eligibility will protect the health of Maine people, limit transmission of the deadly Delta variant, and preserve our health care system's capacity now overburdened because of a sustained surge of COVID-19 cases.

Farmingdale, MAINE – During a visit to a community solar site in Farmingdale today, Governor Janet Mills declared this week, November 15-21, as National Apprenticeship Week in Maine and underscored the value of Maine’s apprenticeship program in strengthening Maine’s workforce.

The community solar site, which is under construction, is owned-and-operated by Nautilus Solar and built by Borrego Solar with E.S. Boulos, a long-time electrical contractor with headquarters in Westbrook, completing the electrical work.

New Federal funds will combine with unprecedented investments from Governor & Legislature in state budget to improve Maine’s infrastructure

Washington, D.C. – Today, Governor Janet Mills joined President Joe Biden, Biden Administration officials, fellow Governors, Members of Congress, and others at the White House as the President signed into law the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Governor Mills was invited by the President to attend.

Milford, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills announced today that her Administration is launching the Forestry Recovery Initiative to support Maine’s forest products industry and the people it employs, create and sustain jobs in rural Maine, and strengthen the state’s economy.

Governor Janet Mills announced today – Veterans Day – that the U.S. Department of Labor has ecognized three Maine employers for their contributions to veteran employment.

The U.S. Department of Labor today named Career Systems Development Corporation and Penobscot Job Corps Center in Bangor, Ecocor in Searsmont, and Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway in Bangor as 2021 HIRE Vets Medallion Award recipients. The award recognizes employers across the nation who exemplify a commitment to employing U.S. military veterans.