10 more Midcoast business updates | Column
I wrote a 10 x 100 column just two weeks ago, and typically I go four to six weeks between these types of columns. However, there are too many quick topics to cover, so here are 10 more business updates at around 100 words or less pertaining to upcoming events, recent successes, or business observations for you to consider as we enter the final month of summer:
Ribbon-cutting train, Friday, Aug. 7
The chamber’s third annual ribbon cutting train in partnership with Main Street Bath is this Friday, Aug. 7. These back-to-back-to-back ribbon cutting events have been wonderful. It’s a four-stop train (six stops if you count meeting the trolley and grabbing a drink after). Here are the key dates and times:
3:20 p.m. – Meet the trolley at City Hall (optional)
3:40 p.m. – Sareena’s Corner Café (193 Water St.)
4 p.m. – Heirloom House (99 Commercial St.)
4:20 p.m. – Cool Finds (99 Commercial St., Suite 103)
4:40 p.m. – Luce (99 Commercial St., Suite 101)
5 p.m. – Happy Hour at OystHERS (97 Commercial St.)
Road closure in Bath, Monday, Aug. 10
According to the weekly update released by the city of Bath, the construction crew will be jackhammering some ledge beginning at 3 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 10, on the Front Street side of J.R. Maxwell and Co. This time was selected as the least disruptive to businesses. Traffic will be diverted down Broad Street (the street right before Bath Savings) down to Commercial Street; Arch Street (the one-way after the Bath Savings drive-thru) will be closed. They anticipate having at least one lane open by noon that day, so fingers crossed it’s only a Monday morning disruption.
Speaking of Bath construction
Just a quick shoutout to the city of Bath and Main Street Bath for inviting in the Chamber and partnering with us on some business support programming for the businesses affected by the Front and Elm street construction zone. Last week, we walked around inviting businesses to a meeting to discuss how we can help, and from that we anticipate some more announcements in the coming weeks.
AI concerns to watch out for
This is completely a personal take, but I have been continuing to dive into podcasts and articles about AI in recent months (it’s become a bit of an obsession), and I need to encourage many of you to educate yourselves on this topic, even if it’s not “your thing.” My greatest concern, at this moment, is not the AI replacement of humans in the workforce, although that is a future concern. My immediate concern is that the business model for AI has some massive holes, according to recent financial disclosures and financial reporting from tech journalists on companies such as OpenAI, Meta, Oracle, Alphabet, Microsoft and Amazon. I worry that many investors are overleveraged in a stock market that is too dependent on AI succeeding. To be honest, some projections require that AI reach a “culture-redefining” level of success when right now it is only at a “transformative in niche industries like coding, but still only a tool” type of success.
Advertisement
Why AI concerns me
I would hate for the bubble to burst and see people’s 401Ks and retirement savings burst with it. Essentially, AI is not turning anywhere close to a profit right now and is supported primarily by circular financing and venture capital. It’s also counting on a very ambitious adoption rate and no roadblocks for data center construction (where reasonable setbacks have happened over legitimate environmental concerns of communities around the country). I’m not an expert in tech economics, but I remember the dot-com bubble, and I was wary of cryptocurrency, too, which is getting revealed to be not what we were sold. I feel this AI growth and hype mirrors both the dot-com bubble and crypto hype — just consider this warning, please. Even the most pro-AI people need to get knowledgeable about the financial concerns of what could happen should the AI bubble burst. If it doesn’t burst and AI succeeds, that’s another whole set of ramifications for the workforce and for us to discuss.
Tree festival announcement next week
I mean, that kind of says it all, but we are incredibly excited to share the new name, logo and information on this year’s tree festival. Look for it in this column next week.
Brunswick Outdoor Arts Festival, Aug. 15
The Brunswick Downtown Association in coordination with the Brunswick Outdoor Arts Festival Committee are gearing up for the festival, set for next Saturday, Aug. 15. This juried art show is highlighted by over 100 artisans displaying, or even demonstrating, their work in downtown Brunswick from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit BrunswickOutdoorArtsFest.com.
Kindness returns, Aug. 15
Kindness Day Bath returns on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This completely free family-friendly event features an eclectic mix of pop-up tents on downtown Bath streets. In its 13th year, this is just a nice way to get out and enjoy your community.
Brunswick Landing Block Party, Sept. 12
Flight Deck Brewing and Wild Oats are welcoming a third co-host for their traditional late summer/early fall outdoor block party, which is new neighbor Morning Glory Natural Foods. As housing expands on Brunswick Landing, and the old base becomes more of a neighborhood, businesses like grocery stores are needed and the second location of Morning Glory is a fantastic addition. Come up to the landing on the second Saturday of September from 4 to 8 p.m. to see it all for yourself.
MARC this down: Basketball courts are coming
In our Chamber’s Brunswick Landing-specific newsletter this week, we shared an update on the Midcoast Athletic Recreation Complex latest news, which is that the outdoor basketball court construction is underway!
Cory King is executive director of the Bath-Brunswick-Topsham Regional Chamber of Commerce.
**The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
**We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu
Copy the Story Link
