If there's one thing we know for sure it's that the Maine economy relies heavily on the summer tourism industry. Especially after a year of tourism being at an all-time low due to the pandemic, tourism this year is more important than ever.

According to WMTW, while the pandemic was growing last summer, rental car companies around the country were selling off their inventory due to a significantly decreased demand in 2020. Now, with things looking up for most Americans, these same companies are looking to buy more new cars to bring their inventory back up to normal levels. The only problem? There is a major new car shortage happening in the United States right now and even major rental companies can't get them.

Maine officials are concerned, especially with more direct-to-Maine flights being offered than ever, that tourists will land in Portland expecting to rent a car and be displeased when they realize there are none available.

Unfortunately, depending on where tourists want to travel to in Maine, calling a cab or taking an Uber just aren't a feasible option. If tourists are staying in Freeport but want to do a daytrip to Acadia, a rental car really is the only option.

Hopefully, and soon, car manufacturers in the United States are able to step production up to near 2020 levels. We'll continue to follow and provide updates on this story.

LOOK: Stunning vintage photos capture the beauty of America's national parks

Today these parks are located throughout the country in 25 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The land encompassing them was either purchased or donated, though much of it had been inhabited by native people for thousands of years before the founding of the United States. These areas are protected and revered as educational resources about the natural world, and as spaces for exploration.

Keep scrolling for 50 vintage photos that show the beauty of America's national parks.

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See the Must-Drive Roads in Every State

KEEP READING: Here are the most popular baby names in every state

Using March 2019 data from the Social Security Administration, Stacker compiled a list of the most popular names in each of the 50 states and Washington D.C., according to their 2018 SSA rankings. The top five boy names and top five girl names are listed for each state, as well as the number of babies born in 2018 with that name. Historically common names like Michael only made the top five in three states, while the less common name Harper ranks in the top five for 22 states.

Curious what names are trending in your home state? Keep reading to see if your name made the top five -- or to find inspiration for naming your baby.

LOOK: The most popular biblical baby names

To determine the most popular biblical baby names, Stacker consulted the name origin site Behind the Name and the Social Security Administration's baby names database then ranked the top 50 names from Behind the Name's Biblical Names origins list of 564 names, based on how many babies had been given these names in 2019. Click through to find out which biblical names have stood the test of time.

LOOK: Here are 25 ways you could start saving money today

These money-saving tips—from finding discounts to simple changes to your daily habits—can come in handy whether you have a specific savings goal, want to stash away cash for retirement, or just want to pinch pennies. It’s never too late to be more financially savvy. Read on to learn more about how you can start saving now. [From: 25 ways you could be saving money today]

SWEET: Here are the most popular Halloween candies

In Pictures: What Education Looks Like Around the World During a Pandemic

 

 

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