Letter to the editor: Sen. Collins thanked for support of Maine businesses Share When COVID first reached our state, and severe restrictions were set into place to control the spread of the pandemic, our fourth-generation family business, the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport, was hit incredibly hard, and we were forced to lay off 90 percent of our staff to stay afloat. We were heartbroken to have to take this step, but like the rest of the hospitality industry, we were struggling to see our path forward. To say things were looking bleak for the business and our employees is an understatement. That is, until Sen. Susan Collins passed the Paycheck Protection Program. This program served as a lifeline for our business, and practically every other business I’m aware of in Maine, and it came just when we needed it most.