PORTLAND, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 6, 2026--
The Avangrid Foundation, the philanthropic arm of leading energy company Avangrid Inc., a member of the Iberdrola Group, joined Central Maine Power, the Eastern Trail Alliance, community leaders, project partners, and Maine residents on August 6th to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of a new 1.6-mile segment of the Eastern Trail. This milestone project closes a longstanding gap in the trail system and creates a continuous off-road connection from South Portland’s Bug Light to downtown Saco.
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The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the "Close the Gap" project, which expands public access to safe outdoor recreation, active transportation, and the natural beauty of southern Maine. The Avangrid Foundation supported the project through a grant that helped advance the vision of creating a more connected and accessible trail network for Maine residents and visitors.
"At Avangrid, we believe strong communities are built through investments that create lasting value for the people we serve. The completion of this new Eastern Trail segment is a great example of how partnerships can expand access to outdoor recreation, improve connectivity, and enhance quality of life across southern Maine,” said Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda. “By supporting this project, the Avangrid Foundation and Central Maine Power are helping create a lasting community asset that will benefit residents and attract visitors for years to come.”
"Trails do more than connect destinations—they connect people. This new segment of the Eastern Trail creates a seamless link between communities while expanding access to outdoor recreation for families, cyclists, runners, and visitors alike,” said Pablo Colón, Director of Corporate Citizenship and Executive Director of the Avangrid Foundation. “We're proud to partner with the Eastern Trail Alliance on a project that will help more people experience the beauty of Maine for years to come.”
Spanning 1.6 miles, the construction of this new trail closes a gap in the Eastern Trail and now provides 16 continuous off-road miles for public enjoyment. The new segment required the construction of two new bridges, one over the Nonesuch River crossing and a second elevated over the railroad tracks. The trail is officially open for public use following the ribbon cutting.
“This is an exciting culmination of almost two decades of hard work,” said Eliza Alexander, Interim Executive Director of the Eastern Trail Alliance. “The new trail segment creates a beautiful off-road corridor that is safe and accessible for runners, walkers, and cyclists alike. We are deeply grateful for the generosity and collaboration of the many people who helped realize this vision.”
About Avangrid Foundation: The Avangrid Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization that funds philanthropic investments that primarily impact communities where Avangrid, Inc. and its subsidiaries operate. Since 2001, the Avangrid Foundation and its predecessors have invested more than $45 million in partnerships that focus on building sustainable, vital and healthy communities; preserving cultural and artistic heritage; advancing education; and improving people’s lives. The Avangrid Foundation is committed to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the United States. For more information, please visit https://www.avangrid.com/avangrid-foundation.
About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. is a leading energy company in the United States working to meet the growing demand for energy for homes and businesses across the nation through service, innovation, and continued investments by expanding grid infrastructure and energy generation projects. Avangrid has offices in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, and Oregon, including operations in 25 states with approximately $50 billion in assets. Avangrid owns and operates seven electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.4 million customers in New York and New England. It also owns and operates nearly 100 energy generation facilities across the United States producing more than 11 GW of power for over 3 million customers. Avangrid employs approximately 8,500 people and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2026 for the eighth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit http://www.avangrid.com
Avangrid Foundation Celebrates Opening of New Eastern Trail Segment, Connecting Communities Across Southern Maine
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A new Tennessee congressional map that carved up a majority Black district in Memphis is making its electoral debut Thursday in a primary election that will determine the nominees for a Republican attempt at a clean sweep of the state's U.S. House districts in the midterms.
The primaries were upended just three months before the vote when the Republican-led Legislature redrew congressional districts following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened federal Voting Rights Act protection for minorities. President Donald Trump cheered the redistricting as part of a national plan to try to help Republicans hold on to their slim House majority.
Trump has endorsed state Sen. Brent Taylor in the four-person Republican primary for the significantly reshaped 9th Congressional District, which now stretches about 200 miles (320 kilometers) east from Memphis before reaching north toward the Nashville area. The district, which previously favored Democrats, now tilts toward Republicans, and some Memphis voters have raised concerns that their representation has been diminished.
After the redistricting, longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen announced that he would no longer seek reelection in the 9th District. Cohen's primary challenger, Democratic state Rep. Justin Pearson, then was joined by state Sen. London Lamar in what became a four-person contest.
Pearson gained national attention in 2023 when he was expelled by the Republican-led state House for protesting in support of gun control measures following a deadly school shooting in Nashville. Memphis voters later reelected him.
Republicans currently hold eight of the state's nine congressional seats.
For decades Memphis, the most populous city in Shelby County, formed the base of its own congressional district. Now the county is split among three districts that extend outward like spokes into rural areas.
Lonzo Taylor, a retired postal worker and military veteran, said Black voters like himself have had their voices diluted.
“We only had one district in the whole state of Tennessee, and you don’t even want that to be fair? It’s just terrible,” said Taylor, 72. “I love this state, but I am very disappointed in our governor,” who called lawmakers into a special session for the redistricting.
Milla Meiman, 23, who voted early in the Democratic primary, said she did not realize the congressional map had changed until receiving a letter about it in the mail.
“It’s a drastic change to have your district sort of switched around like that,” said Meiman, who works part time at an ice cream shop and public library. Meiman added: “I think it’s a voter suppression tactic.”
Terrice Thomas, 45, an educator who votes for Democrats, had to learn a lot more about the candidates when she got switched from District 9 to District 8. She is concerned Memphis constituents could get overlooked.
“Is everybody going to have an equal say on what’s happening in their communities or even the people that you’re voting for?” Thomas said. “Are they going to really take into account the different areas and what makes us unique?”
The cracking apart of Memphis sent ripples throughout the state, also significantly reshaping the 5th Congressional District held by Republican Rep. Andy Ogles, a conservative Freedom Caucus member who is seeking reelection and was endorsed by Trump.
He faces a primary challenge from Charlie Hatcher, a former state agriculture commissioner under Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who has endorsed Hatcher for Congress.
Previously centered on Nashville and central Tennessee, the district now extends to the northwest corner of the state before snaking south along the Mississippi River to Memphis. Along the way it touches the borders of Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas and Mississippi.
Ogles has faced controversy. His cellphone was seized by the FBI in 2024 as part of an investigation into his campaign finance reporting. But the Justice Department recently agreed to return the device, signaling that it was abandoning the probe, which began under the Biden administration.
On the Democratic side, the five-way primary features Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, who has continued to run in the reshaped district despite being drawn out of it.
Republican U.S. Rep. John Rose is forgoing reelection in the 6th District to run for governor instead. That created a contentious primary for the Republican-leaning district, which stretches east from Nashville.
The four Republican candidates include state Rep. Johnny Garrett and Rose’s recent chief of staff, former U.S. Rep. Van Hilleary, who served eight years in Congress before losing a gubernatorial bid in 2002. Five Democrats also are seeking the seat.
Rose and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn are among three Republicans and five Democrats running to succeed Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who is barred by term limits from seeking reelection. Blackburn, who won her second six-year Senate term in 2024, would have to give the seat up if elected.
Republicans have held the governor's office since 2011 and won every U.S. Senate election since 1994. Sen. Bill Hagerty is unopposed in this year's Republican primary, though numerous Democrats and independents are battling for the chance to challenge him.
The story has been updated to correct the day of the primary election to Thursday, from Tuesday.
Lieb reported from Jefferson City, Missouri.
Helen Plummer walks into a polling place to cast her ballot in a primary election Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Two voters fill out their ballots in Memphis, Tenn., Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Kristin M. Hall)
FILE - Republican congressional candidate State Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, speaks to a supporter outside an early voting polling place Friday, July 24, 2026, in Brentwood, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
FILE - Democratic congressional candidate State Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis, speaks to potential voters during a political event Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Franklin, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
