MONTHLY NEWSLETTER JUNE 2013 Highlights in this Issue: P. 2: From the President’s Chair P. 2: Students visit area businesses P. 4: Member Events Calendar P. 6: Ezhaya Memorial Scholarship P. 8: Biz Spotlight: KeyBank
Waterville’s LaFleur Airport is Taking Off! By Darryl Sterling, Central Maine Growth Council
The City of Waterville has invested in its economic future by revitalizing LaFleur Airport. The airport had been under-served over the past two decades. This has changed due to the concerted efforts of the City, Waterville Development Corporation (WDC), Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce (MMCC), and Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC). A new Airport Master Plan, Airport Advisory Committee, and expanded airport manager role propelled the project forward. Airport improvements began to take place: new airport logo created, new signage installed, airport terminal newly renovated, facility freshly painted, new ac-
cess ramp installed and grounds were landscaped. Crosswind Runway 14-32 was reopened after being closed for the last four years. A $750,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was utilized to complete reconstruction of the 2,300 foot runway in October 2012. The 5,500 foot Main Runway 5-23 will be reconstructed in 2014 with a $7 million FAA grant. Randy Marshall, WVL airport manager said, “I am really excited about all of the progress the airport has made in the last year, and I am looking forward to seeing what is coming.” The City partnered with WDC to purchase a key 62-acre parcel adjacent to the airport with its transferrable Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ). CMGC worked with the FTZ board in Washington, D.C. to secure Reissuance of FTZ Authority which will generate economic development and foreign direct investment. Duty-free savings on international goods for assembly and processing will benefit local businesses and make Waterville a logistical hub to catapult the region to be more globally competitive. CMGC is marketing the airport and the FTZ in-site selection magazines, trade shows, and
multi-media worldwide. The City and CMGC are co-sponsoring “Business after Hours” at the airport on June 19, 2013 from 5:30-7:00 PM. Investment, development, and relocation opportunities abound in central Maine. Several companies are expanding in Waterville, Winslow and Fairfield. The airport and its adjacent properties have permitted TIF Sites with Foreign Trade Zone benefits. All are situated within a mile of Interstate 95. All three communities are inter-connected and have commercial/industrial sites that range from a few thousand square feet all the way up to a 1.4 million s/f facility. Not only is the airport taking off, but many connected companies are getting off the ground!
Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce presents
August 7, 2013 ∙ 11:00AM-11:00PM Downtown Waterville www.tasteofwaterville.com Be a part of the Taste! Contact Amy at info@midmainechamber.com or 873-3315 for information on becoming a vendor. 50 ELM STREET, WATERVILLE, ME 04901 • TEL: (207) 873-3315 • FAX: (207) 877-0087 info@midmainechamber.com • www.midmainechamber.com Brad Fisher, Chair of the Board • Kimberly N. Lindlof, President & CEO
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From the President’s Chair
Business After Hours:
Central Maine Growth Council & LaFleur Airport 2 LaFleur Road, Waterville June 19 ∙ 5:30-7pm
There has been lots of talk and numerous articles around the topic of natural gas distribution to the mid-Maine region. Mid-Maine Chamber has been working with the Sustain MidMaine ener gy team on a study, the r esults of which have been shared with the natural gas players in our region. (Please note that we used a local company to conduct the study.) It seems that now that the dust is settling, Summit Natural Gas of Maine will begin laying pipe any day now in the greater Waterville area. Maine Natural Gas has partnered with Bangor Gas to be the local compressed gas delivery partner for those businesses that qualify that may want to go that route. Stay tuned for an invitation from Summit regarding a reception at which it will lay out is planned distribution system and timeline. The Chamber will also be working with the natural gas companies, Kennebec Valley Community College and member oil and HVAC technicians to inform them of the conversion plans and scope of work. This is an exciting time as our region has the potential to save 50% in heating cost (conservatively). More to come as this unfolds! Bowdoin Photography
Sponsored by:
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. Door prizes, 50/50 raffle & other fabulous prizes!
Thank you to our 50/50 Sponsor:
Local Students Take Firsthand Approach to Career Prep Students from Winslow High School’s Career Preparation and Jobs for Maine Graduates programs toured area businesses in May. The tours were part of an ongoing partnership between the school and Mid-Maine Chamber and are intended to expose students to the realworld applications of their studies.
On another note, all indicators point to a robust tourism season. Please embrace these visitors and provide exceptional customer service. If your employees need a FREE refresher, have them take the online course and print out a certificate upon completion. It takes slightly over an hour to complete and is a great reminder of what matters to those who travel to our region: www.welcomeMEtraining.com. Right: Winslow High School students meet with staff members at Central Maine Motors as part of the partnerHave a profitable summer! ship between the school and MidMaine Chamber.
- Kimberly
Left: Winslow High School students listen attentively at Mid-State Machine Products, Inc. during business tour.
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Local Employers Recognized for Workplace Well-Being By Sara Dyer
Eleven employers from the greater Kennebec Valley area received the first annual Workplace Well-Being recognition at the Mid-Maine Chamber’s Business Breakfast on May 2 at Thomas College and at the Kennebec Chamber Business Breakfast on April 17. The Workplace Well-Being Award program was developed by the Healthy People of the Kennebec Valley (HPKV) to encourage and recognize Kennebec Valley employers committed to best practices standards around supporting and improving good health and well-being for their employees. 2013 Gold Awardees include: Inland Hospital, Kennebec Technologies, MaineGeneral Health, and Maine Veter ans’ Homes. 2013 Silver Awardees are: Huhtamaki, J .S. McCar thy Pr inter s, Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, Kennebec Valley Community College, Lohmann Animal Health International, Per for mance Foodser vice – NorthCenter, and Valley Distributors. “On behalf of the HPKV Leadership Council I’d like to commend these business-
MaineGeneral Health
es for their hard work, leadership and dedication to employee health and creating a healthy and productive workforce in the Kennebec Valley,” said Denise DumontBernier, HPKV chairperson. “We look forward to continuing this tradition of distinguishing worksites throughout the Kennebec Valley in future years.” All members of the Kennebec Valley or Mid-Maine Chambers of Commerce were welcomed to apply. Level of recognition at the gold, silver or bronze level was determined by the number of standards that were met. Criteria included: management commitment, wellness leadership and infrastructure, assessment and participation rates, program measurement, interventions offered, supportive environment, and strategic planning. Applicants were required to provide supporting documentation and data. The recognized businesses met the criteria
Inland Hospital
through comprehensive policies, management support, and various methods of employee engagement. The Healthy People of the Kennebec is an employer-driven worksite wellness group supported by the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce, and MaineGeneral Medical Center. The HPKV mission is to engage Kennebec Valley employers to promote health and wellness at their workplaces, for the benefit of their employees, their families, their businesses and their communities. Learn more about HPKV at www.mainegeneral.org/healthypeoplekv or contact Danielle Louder at 207-621-8809.
Kennebec Valley Community College
Huhtamaki
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June 1: Kennebec Messalonskee Trails hosts an Interactive Trail Exploration to celebrate National Trails Day. Parking for the event will be in the lot adjacent to Winslow Elemen- 11AM; tournament at noon. Register at tary School; activities begin at 9:30AM. www.spectrumgenerations.org or contact Jamie Ribisi-Braley at 620-1677. June 2: Family Mountain Biking Day at Quarry Road Recreation Area with r ides for all June 12: Uhl-Melanson Investor Services ages and abilities, a family BBQ, bounce will be sponsoring an educational dinner house, scavenger hunt, and more. 10AMpresentation on Medicare: Things You May 2PM. FMI: find Central Maine chapter of the Not Know by Kevin Frisbee of Combined New England Mountain Bike Association Benefits United at 5:30PM at Eric’s Restau(CeMeNEMBA) on Facebook or call 861rant on College Avenue in Water ville. 3292. Space is limited. FMI: Debbie at 859-8877 or debbie@uminvestorservices.com. June 4: U.S. Small Business Administration’s Annual Awards, a salute to Maine small busi- June 14-16: American Lung Association’s nesses at Spectacular Event in Bangor from Trek Across Maine, a 3-day ride from Sunday 11AM-2PM. Tickets are $35. FMI: Sandra at River to Belfast. Overnight accommodations 622-8381 or Sandra.fontaine@sba.gov. provided by UMF and Colby College. FMI: biketreknewengland.org or contact Gale June 5: Maine Development Foundation pre- Auclair at 624-0302 or gauclair@lungne.org. sents Leadership Unplugged with Dr. Edison Lui of The Jackson Laboratory at EMCC in June 17: Kennebec Valley Community ColBangor from 7:30-9AM. FMI and to register: lege Foundation hosts its 18th annual Golf visit www.mdf.org. Tournament at Waterville Country Club. Registration begins at 11AM; tee-off at 1pm June 5: United Way of Mid-Maine holds its FMI: Michelle Webb at 453-5020 or annual meeting from 7:30-9AM at Thomas mwebb@kvcc.me.edu. College, with pr esentation by LeeAnn Lar son, Literacy Specialist with the Maine Dept. June 18: Join the Maine State Chamber for a of Education. Open to all interested commu- Business Breakfast Meeting with regional nity members. Breakfast will be provided, business leaders at the Hampton Inn in Watersponsored by Kennebec Savings Bank, City of ville at 7:30AM. FMI: call 623-4568 x104. Waterville, and Northeast Laboratories. FMI and to register: 873-0686. June 18: Waterville Public Library Business & Career Center presents “Social Media MarketJune 6: Waterville Public Library Business & ing Made Simple,” a business workshop led Career Center presents “Power of E-mail Mar- by Tracy O’Clair, owner of TOCmedia. Regketing,” a business workshop led by Tracy ister at http://conta.cc/ywk3yo. FMI: 680O’Clair, owner of TOCmedia. Register at 2611. http://conta.cc/xbrdfa. FMI: 680-2611. June 22: Healthy Hometowns Family Paddle, June 10: Spectrum Generations hosts 11th An- a Let’s Go! Family Fun Series event, brought nual Meals on Wheels Golf Tournament at to you by Inland Hospital. 10AM at North Natanis Golf Course to benefit Meals on Street Boat Landing. FMI: Wheels in central Maine. Check-in begins at www.inlandhospital.org or 861-3292.
July 6: Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance hosts its 25th Anniver sar y Open House & Membership Appreciation Celebration at 137 Main St., Belgrade from 10AM4PM. July 12-21: Maine International Film Festival, a 10-day celebration of American independent and international cinema presented by the Maine Film Center and featur ing near ly a hundred films. FMI: www.miff.org. July 13: Colby College Museum of Art celebrates its reopening and inaugurates the Alfond-Lunder Family Pavilion. FMI: www.colby.edu/museum. July 14: PFBF CPAs host its 4th Annual HalfMarathon & 5K Race to benefit Special Olympics Maine. Race begins and ends at 46 First Park Dr ive in Oakland. Registr ation at 7AM; race begins at 8AM FMI: Melissa at msawyer@pfbf.com, Ann at ann@pfbf.com or call 873-1603. July 26: PechaKucha Night, Volume 12, a creative networking event for the entire community. Gathering begins at 6:30PM; presentations start at 7:20PM. Location to be decided. FMI: www.facebook.com/PKNWaterville or pechakucha.waterville@gmail.com. July 27: Now in its 44th year, the Downtown Arts and Music Fest is a day-long event, extending into the evening with family-friendly street dance. FMI: Waterville Main Street at 680-2055 or info@watervillemainstreet.org. Legislation Tracker Concerned about the workings of state government? Want to keep track of legislation during the 126th Legislature’s 1st Regular session? The State’s Web site lets you do just that. Track the progress and scheduling online at: maine.gov/legis/lio/publications.htm
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Good luck, Robyn! Robyn Loubier, Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce business development assistant, has taken a position at another organization after two years on the Chamber office staff. Thank you for all your hard work on behalf of the Chamber, Robyn! We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.
Bowdoin Photography
Amy Sylvester, communications & marketing assistant, has assumed Robyn’s responsibilities. Contact Amy at info@midmainechamber.com or 873-3315.
ADNIT, Inc. Cayer Security Services, Inc. 341 Main Street 208 College Avenue Waterville, ME 04901 Waterville, ME 04901 872-5500 453-9177 Gary Gray Jenny King ggray@adnmaine.com www.cayersecurity.com www.alliancedigitalnetworks.com ALCOM, LLC 6 Millennium Drive Winslow, ME 04901 861-9800 Josh Roberts www.alcomusa.com Carroll’s Body Shop 548 Benton Avenue Winslow, ME 04901 872-5226 Mike Ouellette Catharsis Media, LLC 125 Oakland Road Fairfield, ME 04937 314-6252 Damian Veilleux damian@catharsis-media.com www.catharsis-media.com
BONNEY Staffing Center r ecently announced the pr omotions of Julie Banta to assistant branch manager, Mandy Wertman to staffing supervisor, and Donna Dumond to vice president. Maine Heritage Policy Center r ecently hir ed J onathan Haines as the director of communications. Haines was previously with a small strategic communications and political management consulting firm.
Congratulations to Waterville Main Street’s Board Member of the Year Award winner, Jenny Strode of Nicholson, Michaud & Co., and to VolCrack-Tech Foundation Repair unteer of the Year Award winner, Kevin Dutil! 13 Lasselle Road Welcome to Sarah Conroy, Unity College’s new director of human reBurnham, ME 04922 sources. Sarah, who has more than 25 years of professional experience 948-3117 in human resources, began her role during the spring semester 2013. Mike Sadulsky mike_cracktech@yahoo.com James D. Julia is pr oud to announce that J osh Loewensteiner has joined the company as its new firearms sales coordinator. He is assumStan’s French Fries ing the role previously held by retiring Coordinator Judy Labbe, who had PO Box 1072 been with the company since 1997. Skowhegan, ME 04976 Kennebec Valley Community College has named Tammy J ones of 858-6191 Oakland as the College’s 2013 Student of the Year. Jones was selected Stan McGray for the honor based on her academic success and campus and community involvement. Spectrum Generations is pleased to announce that J ohn Ecker t of Hallowell, who joined the Spectrum Generations Volunteer Corp in 2010, was selected as Volunteer of the Year for the 2013 Governor’s Award for Service and Volunteerism.
Haines Park, located across from Day’s Jewelers and The Pub in the Concourse in downtown Waterville, was recently dedicated to Shannon Haines for her efforts on behalf of Waterville Main Street during her 10 year tenure as executive director.
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Mount View Senior Awarded Ezhaya Memorial Scholarship Alexis Morse of Unity, a senior at Mount View High School, will be awarded the 2013 Joseph B. Ezhaya Memorial Scholarship. Morse has been a member of National Honor Society and president of her class at Mount View, as well as a mentor to younger students in writing and athletics. Outside her school activities, she has devoted time to a variety of service organizations, including Special Olympics, Waldo County Action Partners’ Cinderella Project, and a local doctor’s office as a volunteer in physical therapy. Morse plans to continue her education at the University of New England this fall. She intends to study biology in the pre-medical school track. Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce’s Ezhaya Memorial Scholarship Committee convenes annually to award the prize to a local graduating senior with an exemplary record of citizenship and community service. Applicants are required to submit an essay on their community involvement, and finalists are interviewed by the Ezhaya Memorial Scholarship Committee. “We are very pleased to award the 15th annual Ezhaya Scholarship to Alexis Morse,” said Kimberly Lindlof, president and CEO of Mid-Maine Chamber and coordinator of the scholarship. “The committee chose Alexis from an impressive group of accomplished applicants, because her dedication to service and leadership truly reflect Joe Ezhaya’s spirit and generosity.” The scholarship is awarded by Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce in memory of Joseph Ezhaya, a dedicated community volunteer, and successful candidates share his interest in citizenship and involvement. Recipients must be graduating from a high school in mid-Maine and attending post-secondary school in New England. Awardees receive a $750 scholarship after successfully completing one semester with a grade point average of 2.0 or better. For more information on the annual award, visit www.midmainechamber.com/chamber/about/scholarship.html.
Department of Labor Launches New Web Site for Employers Maine Department of Labor has launched a secure Web site that allows employers to report information relating to the separation of employees to the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation. To learn more and to enroll, visit https://gateway.maine.gov/SIDES/sides. Employers with questions can also contact an employer services specialist within the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation at 207-621-5120.
Tues., June 4
8AM
Bus. Expansion & Retention Chamber Boardroom
Fri., June 21
7:30AM
Executive Committee Chamber Boardroom
Wed., June 26
8AM
Membership Committee Chamber Boardroom
Thurs., June 27 12PM
Info. Services Committee Courtney’s Hot Dogs
Fri., June 28
Board of Directors Chamber Boardroom
7:30AM
Upcoming Events June 3: Chamber Golf Classic Natanis Golf Course 11AM Shotgun Start Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce presents the Chamber Golf Classic, the most prize-laden tournament in central Maine! June 13: Business Breakfast Series 7:15-9 AM Thomas College Traps for the Unwary: Navigating the Minefield of Legal Pitfalls as a Business Owner Gregg Frame, a founding member and lawyer at Taylor, McCormack & Frame, will guide us through the most common and costly mistakes one can make as a new or experienced business owner. June 19: Business After Hours 5:30-7 PM Robert LaFleur Airport & Central Maine Growth Council 2 LaFleur Road, Waterville This is a great way to mix and mingle with other business professionals!
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High Hopes Clubhouse r epor ts that in its last fiscal year, its members earned wages exceeding $900,000.00! Thank you to all of the local businesses who hired its members, helping them to work to support our local economy! Silverton Sporting Ranch announced its guests now have access to thousands of miles of ATV trails directly from its lodging. This new access makes Canaan the southernmost starting point for trails north to Bingham, Moscow, Greenville and more.
the Stutzke Foundation Scholarship.
Congratulations to our local winner of the 2013 Governor’s Award for Business Excellence: TD Bank, which is one of the ten largest banks in the U.S. with deep roots in the community dating back more than 150 years. Its Maine presence now includes 54 stores, nearly 3,100 employees, and several major office buildings.
Bangor Savings Bank announced it has been ranked #1 in customer satisfaction in New England and one of the top banks in the country according to a survey of nearly 52,000 Inland Hospital has ear ned an “A” in the banking customers across the nation conductLeapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Score report, the highest score possible. Leapfrog is an ed by J.D. Power and Associates. independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health bene- MaineGeneral Medical Center has been fits. In addition, Inland has received a national designated a Blue Distinction Center for Hip award for patient satisfaction from Avatar, a and Knee Replacement by Blue Cross Blue patient survey company. For the 7th year in a Shield for delivering high-quality, efficient row, Inland was honored with Exceeding Pa- patient care. The Blue Distinction Center protient Expectations and Overall Best Performer gram evaluates hospitals on their ability to deliver high-quality and safe specialty care awards. based on factors that directly affect patient outcomes and experience. Paper Klip announces that you can get a Free Vera Bradley tote when you buy $50 of Spectrum Generations is qualifying Scotch or Post-it pleased to announce that its Brand Product. Promotion Web site has recently been upends 6/30. Paper Klip is also offering an graded to make it easier for oldAvery rebate: Purchase $75 of qualifying er and disabled adults, families, Avery products and get a $25.00 gift card by caregivers, and healthcare promail. Choose from over 70 stores for a gift viders to more easily locate services and recard! FMI, contact Paper Klip at 1-800-924- sources to live a healthier, more independent life. Visit the updated Web site at 9006. www.spectrumgenerations.org. Congratulations to Maine Academy of Natural Sciences student Alex who won $1750 for The Richard David Stutzke Foundation has his Jobs for Maine’s Graduates JOY Grant awarded a gift of an undisclosed sum to Unity proposal! Alex is creating a self-sustaining College. Unity College will use the gift to create Forest Garden and Orchard Park. an endowed scholarship,
Peter Bragdon of Vassalboro has been awarded a $300,000 Value Added Producer Grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Bragdon put the proposal together last fall with the help of Jennifer Kierstead Consulting. Darryl Sterling of Central Maine Growth Council and Gr ay Har r is of Coastal Enterprises, Inc. pr ovided statements of suppor t. Congratulations to Saturn Business Services/ Carbon Copy for its Business of the Year Award from Waterville Main Street! Congratulations to the more than 500 Kennebec Valley Community College students who graduated at the school’s 43rd commencement exercises on May 18th. Debbie Getchell, vice president and CFO of Kennebec Savings Bank, announced the Bank has been named to a list of Top 100 Banks for 2012 for its financial strength by BAUERFINANCIAL, the nation’s leading independent bank rating firm. Helping Hands, which pr ovides homecar e services to clients in central, western, and southern Maine, is proud to welcome our new scheduling coordinator, Lisa McCausland. Congratulations to Northeast Coffee Company, Skowhegan Ar ea Chamber of Commerce’s 2013 Large Business of the Year Award winner! Congratulations to the Waterville Opera House on its 2013 Downtown Pr eser vation Achievement Award from the Maine Downtown Center, a program of Maine Development Foundation!
50 Elm Street Waterville, ME 04901
PRE-SORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #146 Waterville, ME 04901
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KeyBank delivers personalized services with a community focus model at two local branches, located at 110 Main Street and 305 Kennedy Memorial came the first—and only—female CEO of a Drive. The two branches employ 10 people top 20 American bank, she was asked about and provide retail and business banking, KeyBank’s lack of market share dominance private banking, investment services and in any state. Her response: “Our whole mod- mortgage lending services. el is to be a local bank. We have good mar“Our focus is on helping clients and the ket share in the markets we care about.” KeyBank’s approach is working. According to industry analysts and business publications, Key ranks at the top of major banks when it comes to financial strength, stability and customer satisfaction. “Key is one of the few large banks that community thrive,” said St. Clair, who overdecentralizes and pushes the decisionsees operations at the Main Street and Kenmaking for hiring, staffing, loan approvals and anything to do with the customer down nedy Memorial Drive branches. “We really to the local level,” said Jamie St. Clair, vice want to provide our customers with the smart solutions and superior services they president and Bangor area leader, Retail need to achieve their financial goals.” Banking, KeyBank. “It allows us to better The Main Street branch is led by understand our customers' needs and make Michelle Crocker. Office hours are Monday the decisions that serve those needs best." Waterville-area KeyBank customers ex- through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Kennedy Memorial Drive branch is perience the bank’s community banking
When KeyBank CEO Beth Mooney be-
led by Jessica Reynolds. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. In addition to its banking products and services, KeyBank supports a number of Waterville-based nonprofit organizations, programs and events, including Make-AWish Foundation, PFBF-Special Olympics Maine, Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, Relay for Life and Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Bowl for Kids’ Sake. In addition, Main Street branch manager Michelle Crocker serves on the board of Waterville Main Street and Main Street branch teller Georgie Lyons serves on the board of Skills, Inc. Also, once a year, KeyBank’s Waterville branches close down for an afternoon so employees can volunteer their time to support a local nonprofit as part of Neighbors Make the Difference Day. In 2012, Key employees volunteered at Pine Tree Camp. For more information about KeyBank, visit www.key.com or stop by one of the Waterville branches.
Have some news you would like to share? Submit a short announcement to the Chamber office by the 3rd Friday of the prior month. Inserts are also available for $125 per month. Call 873-3315 or email info@midmainechamber.com. Disclaimer: Mid-Maine Chamber’s InTouch newsletter is published monthly as a benefit to members and affiliates. All member news is compiled and submitted solely by our members; therefore, we reserve the right to omit and/or edit as appropriate, and cannot guarantee complete accuracy of all announcements. Sponsorship inserts do not necessarily reflect the position of Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce.