2025 Year In Review
In 2025, more than 2,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners accessed our no-cost, confidential business advising services. An additional 550+ participants gained skills through our webinars and training sessions.
By meeting business owners where they are and responding to real-world challenges with data-informed solutions, Maine SBDC delivered measurable impact across the state. In the last year, clients launched more than 125 new businesses, created or retained over 560 jobs, and accessed almost $32.8 million in capital.
These results reflect the strength of Maine SBDC’s advising team and the clarity they bring to complex business decisions. Through personalized advising and practical training, clients strengthen operations, think strategically, and pursue sustainable growth.
As a trusted statewide resource, Maine SBDC continues to fuel economic vitality and opportunity across the state. Looking ahead, we remain committed to helping businesses start stronger, grow smarter, and achieve lasting success.
THE MAINE SBDC TEAM
Serving over 2,000 entrepreneurs in 2025
Mark Delisle
State Director
Jennifer Boutin
Associate State Director
of Operations
Peter Harriman
Center Director &
Business Advisor
Southern Maine
Alison Lane
Center Director &
Business Advisor
Central & Northern Maine
Christine Cole
Senior Business Advisor,
Greater Portland,
2025 State Star
Brendan Craig
Business Advisor,
Northern Maine
Jenn Dobransky
Business Advisor,
Midcoast Maine
Vien Dobui
Business Advisor,
Southern Maine
Christina Dodge
Business Advisor,
Central Maine
Jon Janson
Business Advisor,
Western Maine
Anne Lancaster
Senior Business Advisor,
Southern Maine
Dan McDonald
Business Advisor,
Downeast Maine
Christina Oddleifson
Senior Business Advisor,
Greater Portland
Dion Olmstead
Business Advisor,
Western Maine
Dan Umphrey
Business Advisor,
Northern Maine
Aaron Cohen
Project Coordinator
Elise Devon
Director of Finance
& Grant Management
Marina Iida
Administrative &
Data Manager
2025 Highlights
Fueling Maine’s Economy
In 2025, Maine SBDC helped drive measurable economic growth across the state, supporting new entrepreneurs, strengthening existing businesses, and expanding access to capital. Business advisors helped 2,076 clients with over 8,200 hours of advising. Clients reported achieving the following outcomes with our assistance:
Putting Clients First
Over 98% of clients would recommend the Maine SBDC, praising the clarity and confidence they gain from working with our expert business advisors. Clients consistently share how supported, encouraged, and inspired they feel, leaving them ready to build strong, resilient businesses.
Serving All of Maine
Maine SBDC supports entrepreneurs across all 16 counties in Maine, helping foster new startups, create and retain jobs, and improve access to capital in each region. In 2025, Maine SBDC built on its statewide presence by strategically relocating offices to partner with local economic development and educational organizations and better align in-person services with client needs. Approximately 30% of clients meet in person, while 70% prefer virtual meetings.
Supporting Learning & Growth
Maine SBDC equips entrepreneurs and small business owners with the knowledge they need to build their businesses through free, accessible education, including on-demand eCourses, live webinars, and a comprehensive YouTube library.
In 2025, Maine SBDC’s educational offerings consisted of:
Succeeding Together & Growth
Maine SBDC expanded its reach and impact through close collaboration with partners and stakeholders who provided expertise, resources, and strategic alignment. Together, these relationships created a strong network of support for Maine’s small businesses, helping ensure access to the services they need to succeed.
Advancing Staff Expertise
Our team of business advisors is deeply committed to our clients. On average, each advisor works with more than 150 entrepreneurs and small business owners annually, bringing unique expertise and education.
Maine SBDC remains focused on continuous improvement, collectively dedicating at least 500 hours each year to professional development. This ongoing learning, paired with advisors’ experience, ensures we continue to provide clients with accurate, up-to-date information and high-quality services.
By The Numbers
Return On Investment
Return on investment for the Maine SBDC is evaluated, analyzed, and reviewed annually through an independent study conducted by Dr. James Chrisman at Mississippi State University. His findings are based on a survey of clients who have worked with a Maine SBDC business advisor for at least five hours. Dr. Chrisman’s most recent report indicates that for every dollar invested in the Maine SBDC, $1.34 was returned in incremental tax revenue.
“[My advisor] assisted me in learning how to share my marketability with others to pursue my hopes and dreams of growth to benefit my clientele and build an environment suitable to their needs.”
– Ashley Homstead, Business Owner of Spooky Barbie Healing
Financial Overview
Excludes USM cost share and in-kind contributions of $262,995
*Various project years normalized to calendar year format
Client Composition
“[My advisor] was the best mentor I could have asked for: smart, kind, and incredibly knowledgeable. They taught me so much and are a huge reason I have this business today.”
– Nikki Girroir, Dance Conservatory of Southern Maine
Results By County
5-Year Trends
Over 2,000 entrepreneurs turned to the Maine SBDC in 2025 to help navigate the process of starting, managing, or growing their businesses. With the guidance and expertise of business advisors, these entrepreneurs develop the skills necessary to meet their goals, create successful businesses, and improve the local economies in which they reside.
The SBDC’s knowledge, experience, and local connections made it the perfect partner to help us take Maine Compost Co to the next level. [My advisor] has given us opportunities we wouldn’t have had without his guidance.”
– Joshua & Olivia Flynn, Business Owners of Maine Compost Co
The SBDC is a cooperative effort that leverages federal, state, and higher education resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses to start, grow, and succeed.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) funds and administers the nationwide SBDC program to assist current and prospective business owners. Working with local SBA district offices, SBDC offers services tailored to local communities and individual clients to help promote entrepreneurship and small business growth.
The State of Maine provides funding through Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD) support to the Maine SBDC program. Maine SBDC and DECD work together to support business development and economic growth throughout Maine by ensuring entrepreneurs and small business owners can confidently navigate the process of starting and growing their businesses.
Nearly 50 years ago, the University of Southern Maine (USM) piloted the Maine SBDC to provide essential management assistance and education to Maine’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. Since those initial days, USM has continued to provide critical support and guidance on the operation of the SBDC program across the State.
The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) provides funding to the Maine SBDC program. Maine SBDC and MTI share common goals, including the development of individual entrepreneurs within the State of Maine towards sustainable economic growth.
Critical to the Maine SBDC’s success are the partner organizations that staff our business advisors across Maine. These long-term partners include:
Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (AVCOG) has one SBDC business advisor. AVCOG is a regional planning agency serving Western Maine communities including Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties.
Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) staff has three SBDC business advisors. NMDC is a regional planning and economic development organization serving Aroostook, Washington, Northern Penobscot, and Piscataquis Counties.
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