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Katahdin Region Tourism Summit

Katahdin Region Tourism Summitsummary

Destination Katahdin – Creating Unique and Memorable Experiences for Residents & Visitors

Join us for a day immersed in creating unique experiences for both residents and tourist of the Katahdin Region. We’ll spend the day discussing tourism, its impact on the local economy and simple, achievable ways small businesses can prosper from visitors.

sPACE IS LIMITED – ATTENDEES MUST REGISTER!

When:

April 22, 2016

Where:

Katahdin Region Higher Education Center
1 Dirigo Drive
East Millinocket, ME 04430

Cost:

FREE! We’ll also include a free lunch! Space is limited, attendees must register!

What to expect:

We’re bringing in a dynamic group of tourism experts, all with experience in rural towns. You’ll get a big picture view, some very specific tips to apply to your business, and ideas on how we can all work together to make the Katahdin Region thrive. 

You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with representatives from local small business and tourism-focused resource organization that will be on hand to share what they do and how they can help grow your business.

Register today! Seating is limited. 

** [UPDATE – 4/5/16 : Very limited number of seats remain for this event. If interested in registering, please call 207-780-4420 or email jennifer.sherwood@maine.edu ] **

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Jennifer Sherwood at 207-780-4420.

Maine & Loire – Portland

“You have been an integral part of this whole process – your sage advice has been indispensable.  We can’t thank you enough!”  Orenda and Peter Hale
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Maine Cloth Diaper Company & Central Street Farmhouse – Bangor

Betsy and Zeth Lundy originally contacted Center Director and Business Advisor Tom Gallant in 2010. The husband and wife team wanted to buy a building in historic downtown Bangor in which they could live on the top floor and open a business on each of the two bottom floors.   Gallant has since spent over 50 hours working to help this couple’s businesses succeed.
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JAI Software – Farmingdale

“I am deeply grateful for your assistance which helped our company protect jobs and navigate a complex growth path.” – John Joseph, Business Owner
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Maine SBDC Newsletter – February 2016

Click here to view our February 2016 Newsletter

In this issue:

Maine SBDC Announces New Website
Redesigned site provides instant access to small business resources and Maine SBDC program information

2015 Annual Program Results
Another strong year – Program continues to demonstrate value to taxpayers by generating incremental tax revenue.

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Maine SBDC Announces 2015 Annual Results

The Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC), a state-wide program that helps entrepreneurs to start and expand their businesses, is pleased to announce its annual results.

2015 Results Summary

In 2015, fourteen certified business advisors across Maine helped 1,633 clients to:

  • Save and create 619 jobs
  • Launch 102 new businesses
  • Access $37.6 million in capital to start or grow their businesses.

Return on investment for the Maine SBDC is evaluated annually through an independent study of the program conducted by Dr. James J. Chrisman at Mississippi State University. His findings are based on information provided by a sampling of clients meeting with a Maine SBDC business advisor for at least five hours.

Dr. Chrisman’s most recent report indicated that for every dollar invested in the Maine SBDC, $2.87 was returned in incremental tax revenue.

“We’ve had another strong year working to help entrepreneurs and small businesses succeed. As Dr. Chrisman’s report confirms, the program continues to demonstrate its value to taxpayers by generating incremental tax revenue,” said Maine SBDC State Director, Mark Delisle.

View our entire 2015 Annual Report: 

2015 Annual Report

Maine SBDC Secures Grant to Help Transition Unemployed to Entrepreneurship in the Bucksport Region

The Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC) has received funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)’s Portable Assistance Grant Program to develop a program that will provide entrepreneurial advising and training for potential and existing business owners in the Bucksport Bay Area who have been adversely affected by the closure of the Verso Paper Mill.

The program will be a collaborative effort of the Maine SBDC in association with CEI, New Ventures Maine and other local economic development organizations. This program will be designed to equip entrepreneurs and anyone interested in starting a business with a broad range of knowledge necessary for successfully developing and growing a small business.

The grant will provide essential entrepreneurial training to help current businesses and those who may be interested in starting a business explore the opportunities in the area. Maine SBDC will staff a business advising outreach office, located at Bangor Savings Bank in Bucksport, where a certified business advisor will be available to meet with new and existing businesses to discuss challenges and opportunities confidentially and at no cost.

“This grant will provide targeted critical resources to enable us to enhance services to this struggling area,” explains Mark Delisle, Maine SBDC State Director.

Beyond business advising, Maine SBDC plans to organize an entrepreneurial tourism-focused workshop series, provide ‘mini-grants’ to select small business clients for professional services, host a small business resource breakfast and put together a business plan competition. These activities will be paired with online content that will be available to business owners.

The SBA awards SBDC Portable Assistance Program grants to provide services and/or assistance to increase small business success and viability in communities suffering economic hardship attributable to the impact of a major disaster or economic downturn in their area.

Individuals interested in working with the Maine SBDC can visit www.mainesbdc.org or call 207-780-4420.