InTouch
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2014
51st Annual Awards Dinner Tuesday, April 29, 2014 Waterville Elks Banquet & Conference Center 5PM Social Hour sponsored by
6PM Dinner & Award Presentations
Contact Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce to reserve your tickets!
Distinguished Community Service Award John & Jackie Dalton Elias A. Joseph Award Bart Stevens Century 21 Nason Realty
Business Person of the Year Shane Savage Fairfield, Oakland, Unity & Winslow Pharmacies
Business of the Year Kennebec Behavioral Health Outstanding Professional Darlene Ratte Best Western Plus Waterville
Community Service Project of the Year Maine Film Center Rising Star Award Joshua Reny Town of Fairfield
Customer Service Stardom Award Doreen Brown Hampton Inn Waterville Thanks to our major sponsor:
Highlights in this Issue: P. 2: From the President’s Chair P. 3: Quarry Road Rec. Area Creates Growth P. 4: Member Events Calendar P. 6: Healthy People of the Kennebec Awards P. 7: Member News P. 8: Member Spotlight: Little Pictures of Maine
Business Visitation Program: Businesses Were Stronger in 2013, Expect to Grow By Bruce Harrington, chair of the Business Expansion & Retention Committee
Each
year, the Chamber’s Business Expansion and Retention Committee meets with area businesses to get feedback about how things are going. This Business Visitation Program helps us identify trends in our local economy and to understand areas where we can better assist our area businesses. In 2013, the committee met with and interviewed eighteen local businesses, with employees ranging from one to 350 full time equivalents. In our sample we found that the companies added employees over the past three years. Our sample added an average of 16 full time employees, for an increase of 38%. We asked our sample about growth over the past two and five years, and expected growth in the next two and five years. Our businesses have all grown over the past two years and expect to grow over the next two years. They grew even more over the past five years and have similar expectations over the next five years. Our sample businesses plan to stay in central Maine over the next two and five years. The businesses in our sample feel that central Maine is a good place to do business, with a ranking of 4 of 5. The same businesses felt that the State of Maine was in the middle of the range, at 3.28, as a good place to do business. We asked respondents to rank on a scale of 1-5 about access to internet, the impact of the Affordable Care Act, and if energy costs were impeding growth. Most of the businesses surveyed found the internet availability sufficient for their needs (4.0). Continued on page 2.
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
Eye Care of Maine 325A Kennedy Memorial Dr., Waterville February 12th · 5:30-7PM
Many of you have asked me over the years about how the 2% of additional meals and lodging tax money is spent. Each year Kennebec Valley Tourism Council (KVTC), a board on which I’ve served since my hire at the Chamber, receives a promotion grant for the sole purpose of promoting tourism in the Kennebec Valley Region (Kennebec and Somerset Counties) from the Maine Office of Tourism . The 1st regular session of the 120th Maine legislature established the Tourism Promotion Marketing Fund in the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of Tourism, as a non-lapsing, dedicated account. The primary objective of the Maine Tourism Marketing Partnership Program (MTMPP) is the creation and implementation of programs designed to stimulate and expand the travel industry within Maine’s tourism regions while strengthening the State’s image by coordinating the promotional efforts of the private sector with those of the Office of Tourism. Programs must be aligned with and support the Five Year Plan developed by the Office of Tourism. KVTC will be holding a meeting on Feb. 28, 2014, at 10:00 in the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce boardroom to gather information, input and ideas from local tourism related businesses. If you are interested in providing feedback, please e-mail Tanya Bentley, KVTC executive director, at tanya@kennebecvalley.org to RSVP to attend this meeting. We’d love to hear your suggestions. Please join us. Bowdoin Photography
- Kimberly
50/50 Sponsor: Sponsored by:
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks, ribbon cutting ceremony, fabulous door prizes, 50/50 raffle & more!
WATERVILLE
Business Visitation Program Continued from page 1. Our businesses leaned toward feeling an impact on their business from the ACA (3.4), but that was correlated to the number of employees within the organization. Finally, our respondents appeared to be neutral on energy costs (3.0), which is a positive improvement from a year ago. We asked some open ended questions about challenges. Challenges noted included high energy costs, the difficultly finding qualified employees, and challenges with the partisan politics that have become more prevalent in the past few years. Taxes were noted, as they are each year, as were general economic issues associated with a sluggish economy. On the positive side, our respondents overwhelmingly noted the quality of the peo-
ple and community in which their businesses operate, which is a true testament to who we are in central Maine. And I would be remiss not to note that the respondents all found their chamber membership valuable (4.1) and the networking opportunities plentiful and profitable. If you are interested in getting involved in the Chamber, the Business Expansion and Retention committee is always welcoming new members to the table. If you are interested in joining the Business Expansion and Retention Committee or another Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce committee, please call 873-3315 to learn more.
Look for a Business Visitation Program survey in your 2014 renewal packet! Please complete and return this survey, which helps us identify trends in our local economy and to understand areas where we can better assist our area businesses.
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Quarry Road Recreation Area—Creating Growth in Central Maine! By Ellen Wells
Visit
Quarry Road Recreation Area in Waterville any day of the week this winter and you’re likely to find a flurry of outdoor activity. From cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice climbing to sledding, dog walking, Nordic ski racing, and even winter biking, there’s something for everyone to enjoy - right in the heart of the city. Over the past six years, the former Colby Ski Slope area has evolved from an overgrown field with a dirt path into a top-notch four-season recreation destination with 10km (6 miles) of trails. A one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art snowmaking system helps ensure that the trails are snowcovered and groomed daily for crossYoung skiers race past the new country skiing. Programs at the area Quarry Road Recreation Area “Welcome Yurt.” provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn skills and adopt a lifelong habit of being active outdoors year-round. their families from all over New England and beA Welcome Center Yurt added last fall now yond. offers warm respite on cold winter days and a comOther events and activities are planned throughfortable space for groups to gather. On weekends out the year with dates already reserved for the throughout the winter, Barrels Community Marsummer season. Options for a variety of yearket is serving up delicious and nutritious lunches. round outdoor activities are limitless at the cityThe world-class trail system at Quarry Road owned facility managed by Waterville’s Parks & provides a desirable venue for regional competi- Recreation Department with assistance from a nontions, attracting thousands of participants and spec- profit group of dedicated volunteers, Friends of tators to the Waterville area. In January, Colby Quarry Road. College returned to host its Colby Carnival Nordic Waterville’s Quarry Road Recreation Area cerski races; 14 college teams from several states in tainly elevates the health status of those who take the northeast and Canada participated, filling local advantage of the facility, and is helping to boost the hotels and restaurants for the weekend. On Februlocal economy as well. The facility has increased ary 8, Friends of Quarry Road and the City of Waterville’s popularity as an “active community” Waterville host their own winter carnival, a free and desirable place to live, work and play. Quarry community event featuring family-friendly activiRoad offers residents, visitors and local businesses ties that attracts hundreds. Finally, the Bill Koch the opportunity to converge, create, and prosper! Festival is slated for February 21-23. This event To learn more, visit quarryroadrecarea.org. draws hundreds of young cross-country racers and
Thursday, March 27 12PM—6PM Colby College Field House Join us for the area’s premier tradeshow: Unmatched networking 2,000+ attendees Free admission with business card ($5 general admission)
Register as an exhibitor at
www.midmaineb2b.com
Business Breakfast Series Business Spotlight Reserve a Spotlight table at an upcoming Business Breakfast! Don’t miss this free marketing opportunity for Chamber members. E-mail Amy at info@midmainechamber.com to learn more and to sign up.
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Feb. 1: Chinese New Year Family Day, Colby College Museum of Art. Games, stories, art-making, traditional Chinese treats, and hourly tours of the exhibition Spaces and Places: Chinese Art from the Lunder-Colville Collection and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. 10 AM.
recarea.org, inlandhospital.org or 861-3292.
Feb. 8: Live from the Met: Rusalka at Waterville Opera House at 12:55PM. FMI: 873Feb. 5: “Developing Your Business Plan” pre- 7000 or www.operahouse.org. sented by KVCOG at 93 Main St., Waterville, Feb. 8: Art to Heart: Valentine Printmaking part of a series aiming to support small busiWorkshop. Mirken Education Center, Colby ness creation. 9-11AM. FMI or to donate to College Museum of Art. 10AM. FMI: the prize package for the winner: Sarah Ross at www.colby.edu or 859-4736. 453-4258, ext. 223. Feb. 11: Friends Night Out: Jewelry & ChocoFeb. 5: Waterville Area Habitat for Humanlate at Stained Glass Express, 10 Railroad ity open house. 5:30-7PM at Bank of Maine’s Square, Waterville, 5-8PM. Just in time for KMD, Waterville branch. Information on Valentine’s Day! Cost: $50 (includes instrucWAHFH as well as ways to support these eftion, materials & refreshments). forts will be provided. Light refreshments; all FMI: melissa@stainedglassexpress.com are welcome. Feb. 12: “Beginning Farmers Resource NetFeb. 6: “Good Agricultural Practices Certificawork” with speaker Gray Harris. Part of tion” with speakers Jed Beach & Amelia CarKVCC’s Sustainable Food Series. 12:30— bone. Part of Kennebec Valley Community 1:30 PM in Frye Conference Room. College’s Sustainable Food Series. 12:30— 1:30 PM in Frye Conference Room. Feb. 12: National Theatre Live: The Audience at Waterville Opera House at 7PM. FMI: Feb. 6-7, 7:30 PM, & Feb. 8, 2 PM: “Bloody 873-7000 or www.operahouse.org. Bloody Andrew Jackson” at Colby College’s Runnals/Strider Theater. FMI: www.colby.edu Feb. 14: Maine-ly Elder Care blood pressure or 859-4736. clinic at Uncle Dean’s, Grove St., Waterville. 11-1PM. All screenings free & participants Feb. 6: Japanese Noh Chants at Colby Colare entered to win $25 gift card. RN on site to lege Museum of Art with Associate Professor provide screenings and information. FMI: of Music Steven Nuss. Noh uses austere and www.maine-lyeldercare.com. haunting melodies that give life to the classic tales of nature, love gained & lost, and the Feb. 14: Be Our Valentine Celebration & triumphs and tragedies of the samurai. 7PM. Open House at Colby College Museum of FMI: www.colby.edu or 859-4736. Art. Live music, self-guided, love-inspired scavenger hunt & valentine-making workshop. Feb. 8-9: Maine Pond Hockey Classic on Begins at 6PM; food & drinks provided. FMI: China Lake. 9-5PM Saturday. 9-3PM Sunday. www.colby.edu or 859-4736. Feb. 8: Winter Carnival at Quarry Road RecFeb. 14: The Hollows Live in Concert at reation Area. Family-friendly activities inWaterville Opera House. 8PM. FMI: 873clude skiing, snowshoeing, dog sled rides, the 7000 or www.operahouse.org. Amazing Tree Maze & more. Part of Inland Hospital’s LET’S GO! Family Fun Series. Feb. 15: “Boomers: Reinventing Retirement” 10AM-2PM; free admission. FMI: quarryroad- on the 3rd Saturdays of February, March &
April 10-11:15AM. Free at Waterville Public Library with facilitator Jim Peacock of Peak Careers Consulting. How will you spend your time & energy when you leave full time employment? FMI: http://bit.ly/1dE70cr. Feb. 16: National Theatre Live rebroadcast of Coriolanus at Waterville Opera House at 2PM. FMI: 873-7000 or www.operahouse.org. Feb. 19: Peer support group facilitator training with Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area. 5-8PM. FMI: 873-3615 or josborn@hvwa.org. Feb. 19: Waterville Opera House presents National Theatre Live’s Frankenstein. 7PM. FMI: 873-7000 or www.operahouse.org. Feb. 22: Peer support group facilitator training with Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area. 8:30-1PM. FMI: 873-3615 or josborn@hvwa.org. Feb. 22: Aditya Verma - Music at Colby Series at Colby College’s Lorimer Chapel. 7:30PM. FMI: www.colby.edu or 859-4736. Feb. 26: Marketing Plan Seminar presented by KVCOG at 93 Main St., Waterville, part of a series aiming to support small business creation. 9-11AM. FMI or to donate to the prize package for the winner, contact Sarah Ross at 453-4258, ext. 223. Feb. 26: Job Fair at Waterville Public Library, co-sponsored by Mid-Maine Chamber & KVCAP. 10:30-12:30PM. Feb. 26: “Hunger Relief in Maine” with speaker Nancy Perry. Part of KVCC’s Sustainable Food Series. 12:30—1:30 PM in Frye Conference Room. Feb. 26: Maine-ly Elder Care blood pressure clinic at Hannaford, Skowhegan. 2-4PM. FMI: www.maine-lyeldercare.com. Feb. 27: “What is Organic?” with speaker Kate Newkirk. Part of KVCC’s Sustainable Food Series. 12:30—1:30 PM in Frye Conference Room.
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Boudreau’s Heating Jeremy Boudreau 2866 Riverside Drive Vassalboro, ME 04989 692-3079 jboudreau@roadrunner.com www.boudreausheating.com Children’s Center Early Intervention & Family Support Elizabeth Barron 1 Alden Avenue Augusta, ME 04330 626-3497 ebarron@childrenscenteraugusta.com www.childrenscenteraugusta.com DJ Hoss Live Entertainment Leon Dorr 102 Davis Road Fairfield, ME 04937 877-1804 hoss@djhosslive.com www.djhosslive.com Northern Publishing Robert Pushard PO Box 1077 Bangor, ME 04402 843-7990 editor@svweekly.com Shelley’s Used Cars Shelley Rudnicki 211 Norridgewock Road Fairfield, ME 04937 238-0032 shelleysusedcars@gmail.com www.facebook.com/shelleysusedcars
Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area welcomes Sabra Ireland to its Board of Directors! Sabra is an associate broker for Century 21 Surette Real Estate (& dedicated MidMaine Chamber of Commerce volunteer). Sabra looks forward to working with other Hospice Volunteer of Waterville Area board members & serving her community.
tinuing her relationship with and contribution to HealthReach through Board membership. Welcome back!
Coastal Enterprises Institute is pleased to announce the following hires, promotions & awards: Brad Bennett, IT Assistant; Rose Creps, Agriculture Business Specialist with CEI’s Sustainable AgriculHardy Girls Healthy Women welcomes ture & Food Systems program; Ray FarKelli McCannell as incoming president! rell; Technical Services Network AdminisKelli’s background in non-profit leadertrator; Jody Gould; Loan Administrator for ship, enthusiasm & passion for girl’s activ- CEI Lending; Corenna Howard, Senior ism position her to astutely lead Hardy Administrative Officer; Sarah Matel, SenGirls into its next stage of growth and de- ior Credit Officer; Cole Palmer, Loan & Investment Officer; & Daniel Wallace, velopment. Congratulations! CEI’s Program Developer for Sustainable GrowSmart Maine welcomed 5 new Agriculture, was selected by the OpporBoard members and a new Vice Chair at tunity Finance Network & Citi Foundation st its 1 Board Meeting of 2014. David Web- as one of 50 Community Development ster, President of Portland's PDT ArchiFinancial Institution professionals to take tects, who joined the GrowSmart Maine part in the Citi Leadership Program for Board of Directors in 2013, was elected as Opportunity Finance. Congratulations, all! Vice Chair. New Board members elected are Carl Eppich, Greater Portland Council The acting administrator of the Small of Governments; Jennifer Burns Gray, Business Administration is stepping Maine Audubon; Auburn Mayor Jonathan down. Jeanne Hulit announced she's reLaBonte, Androscoggin Land Trust; Doug turning to ME to serve as president of the Sanford, Eastland Development & Ed Northeast Community Banking Division at Suslovic, Portland City Councilor. Northeast Bank. Brian Bernatchez, CFP, president & managing partner at Golden Pond Wealth Management, was recognized as a top financial advisor & named to the LPL Financial Chairman’s Council for 2013. Congratulations! HealthReach Community Health Center’s President & CEO Connie Coggins is pleased to announce that Albion resident Lois Bouchard has joined its Governing Board of Directors. Lois retired recently after 29 years of service to HealthReach and has expressed a strong interest in con-
Kim Lindlof, Mid-Maine Chamber; Tina Chapman, United Way of Mid-Maine; and Suzanne Uhl-Melanson, Uhl-Melanson Investor Services on a recent trip to Quebec to reclaim Waterville Rotary Club’s bell.
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2013 Director of the Year: Tonya Clark Tues., Feb. 4
8:00 AM
Business Expansion & Retention Chamber Boardroom
Tues., Feb. 20 4:00 PM
Taste of Waterville Committee Chamber Boardroom
Fri., Feb. 21
7:30 AM
Executive Committee Chamber Boardroom
Wed., Feb. 26 8:00 AM
Membership Services Chamber Boardroom
Fri., Feb. 28
Board of Directors Chamber Boardroom
7:30 AM
February 6: Meet the Reps Mid-Maine Chamber President & CEO Kim Lindlof and Board of Directors Chair Brad Fisher present Tonya Clark of TMobile with the 2013 Director of the Year award. Thank you for your outstanding support, Tonya!
5:30-7PM at Hampton Inn Waterville 425 Kennedy Memorial Dr., Waterville Join Mid-Maine Chamber and KV Connect for Meet the Reps, a chance to interact with your representatives at the local, state, and national level in a casual setting. Free and open to the public. Please RSVP to Christian at prog.asst@midmainechamber.com.
February 12: Business After Hours 5:30-7PM Eye Care of Maine 325A Kennedy Memorial Dr., Waterville Join us for networking and a ribbon cutting ceremony! This is a great opportunity to mix and mingle with other business professionals! Remember your business cards. No registration required. Join us!
Workplace Well-Being Recognition Awards Are you working to improve the health and well-being of your employees? Does your organization offer a best-practice health and wellness program? If so, Healthy People of the Kennebec Valley (HPKV) wants to recognize your business with a Workplace Well-Being Award! Award winners will be recognized at a Chamber event, featured on the HPKV Web site, and more! In addition, all applicants will receive professional feedback regarding their programs. To learn more, visit www.hpkv.org. To apply, click on the application link on the Web site. Application deadline is March 1.
Februay 13: Business Breakfast Series 7:15-9AM at Thomas College Summit Room, Spann Student Commons “Computer & Information Security: Protecting Small Business” with Professor Frank Appunn of Thomas College. To register, visit www.midmainechamber.com or e-mail Christian at prog.asst@midmainechamber.com.
Februay 26: Leading Women’s Luncheon 11:30-1PM at O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Restaurant Best Western Plus, 375 Main St., Waterville State Senator and 2nd District Congressional candidate Emily Cain will share her story as part of this Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce series. To register, e-mail Amy at info@midmainechamber.com.
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Skowhegan Savings Bank was recently awarded the “SBA Express Lender” designation by the Small Business Administration. As an SBA Express Lender, Skowhegan Savings Bank can obtain approval for certain SBA guaranteed loans quickly and easily. Proceeds of SBA guaranteed loans can be used to finance new business acquisition, equipment, working capital, inventory, real estate improvements, and debt refinance.
the pipeline to be weatherized in the year ahead. lowed by a 01/02 acquisition of The Insurance Exchange Inc. in Stamford, CT. Combined, Cross now operates offices in NH, MA, CT, RI, FL & NY. The Willis merger also brings a new specialty to Cross: 3rd party administration and managing claims for self-insured groups. Willis' approximately 70 employees have been retained, & its offices in Portland, Lewiston-Auburn & Bangor are transitioning to Cross branding. The merger brings Willis' network of offices back to their ME roots. Willis NNE was part of Willis Global Holdings, a multinational corporation that reported more than $791M in revenues in its most recent quarter. Willis NNE came to ME in ’07 by acquiring the HRH Co. in Auburn. HRH's forerunner had been the Dunlap Agency, which merged with Virginia-based HRH in 2001. Dunlap Agency's roots extend back to 1869.
Maine State Chamber of Commerce launched a new Web site and is now on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn &YouTube. The new Web site is easier to navigate, more comprehensive and interactive, and allows members, business leaders across the state and the general public to access the Maine State Chamber's messages and efforts more easily. Connect with them on Twitter (@mainechamber), Facebook (www.facebook.com/MaineChamber), LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/groups/MaineState-Chamber-Commerce-3686793) and Nominations for this year’s Mainebiz BusiYouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/ ness Leaders of the Year have begun to pour in, but there is still time to nominate excepMaineChamber)! tional leaders from around the state. This proBarrels Community gram honors individuals who are the key deciMarket caters! If you sion makers in a successful Maine business, have a small event or who actively serve the communities where lunch meeting you would they live and work, and have led their compalike to have catered, staff nies to achieve significant milestones in 2013. is happy to work with you to create just the The nomination period will remain open until right spread for the occasion. Barrels is also Feb. 7. Business Leaders of the Year honorees expanding its popular lunch menu, so keep an are considered under three categories: large eye out for additional soups, sandwiches, and company (50+ employees), small company new dishes! and nonprofit. Nomination forms are available at www.mainebiz.biz/bloy2014. MaineBiz reports that Cross Insurance has acquired all the Willis Northern NE operations Efficiency Maine’s Multifamily Efficiency in ME in a merger that Cross CEO Royce Program reached a milestone in December: Cross says cements his company's position as since its launch 18 months ago, the program the largest insurance agency in ME. With the has helped property managers weatherize more new business, Cross says the value of premi- than 1,000 apartment units throughout the ums under management now exceeds state. One thousand more units are already in $700M. The 12/31/13 Willis deal was fol-
The American HealthCare Association has selected Oak Grove Center as a recipient of the Silver - Achievement in Quality Award for outstanding performance in the healthcare profession. The award is one of three possible through the National Quality Award program, presented by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living. The competitive award program highlights select facilities across the nation that serve as models of excellence in providing high-quality long term care. Congratulations! OTT Communications announced that it has acquired Reliable Networks of Maine, a provider of cloud-based hosting and managed services. The acquisition expands OTT Communications’ existing carrier-grade service offerings to include support for critical VoIP, email, database and industry vertical software applications. Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC) was recently showcased in the Winter 2014 edition of the New European Economy, a quarterly international trade publication distributed in thirty-two countries. The issue highlighted CMGC’s promotion of Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) #186 and CMGC’s partnership with FTZ Networks to adapt FTZ #186 to an Alternative Site Framework (ASF). The ASF designation brings zone benefits to companies in central Maine. CMGC’s collaboration with the Kennebec Regional Development Authority (KRDA) to secure Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was also featured. To read more in the article, visit: www.centralmaine.org/index.php/newsevents.
50 Elm Street Waterville, ME 04901
PRE-SORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #146 Waterville, ME 04901
Address Correction Requested
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Little Pictures of Maine Specializes in On-Location Photography
from food to furniture, hand-made to high tech, as well as your facilities, equipment, business located in Pittsfield, owned and opvehicle fleets and real estate. They offer erated by Shawn and Pamela Little, who startchronological coverage of construction and ed the business in August of 2008, using their renovation projects, and photograph seminars, hobby to make extra cash. In December of meetings, retreats and other corporate events. 2009, Shawn and Pam started running Little Their love of nature and the beauty of Pictures as a full-time business. Maine inspired Shawn and Pam to start Little Little Pictures of Maine specializes in onPictures of Maine. They offer a variety of location photography, with studio shoots images to enhance your home or office. available on request. Shawn and Pam will Little Pictures of Maine is a proud supporttravel to where you want them to, creating a er of Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and relaxed atmosphere for the subject of the offers a 10% discount on any of its services to shoot. This also allows you to stay at your Chamber members. Little Pictures of Maine home, work site or office without having to also offers a 10% discount to active duty militake time from your busy day to travel to a Little Pictures of Maine will travel to your home, tary and their immediate families. studio. Most of their photography is done in office, or event to capture the moment. To find out more and see examples of phocentral Maine, but Shawn and Pam have and will travel the state to get the shots you need. raphy, baby pictures and pets photography are tographs, check out www.lpmaine.com and also among available services. http://ltlpicsme.smugmug.com/. Contact Little Little Pictures of Maine offers family phoPictures of Maine at (207) 592-1769 or 592Businesses and non-profit agencies are tography, covering weddings, receptions, 1683 and by email: shawn@lpmaine.com. important clients for Little Pictures of Maine, family reunions and birthday parties, as well You can also “like” Little Pictures of Maine which offers head shots and other staff phoas wedding and baby showers. High school on Facebook. tography. They also take product pictures, portraits, family and generational photog-
Little Pictures of Maine is a photography
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.
Join Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce Leading on Wednesday, February 26 Women’S 11:30AM—1:00PM at Best Western Plus Luncheon 375 Main Street, Waterville
with guest speaker State Senator Emily Cain Emily Cain was first elected to the Maine State House in 2004 at age 24. In 2010, Emily became the youngest woman to hold the position of House Minority Leader in Maine history. She currently serves in the State Senate and is running to become the first Democratic woman elected to represent Maine’s 2nd congressional district. Senator Cain joins us February 26th as part of our Leading Women’s Luncheon series, which features Maine women’s presentations on their paths to success and the struggles they have faced along the way. To register, please see below.
Our Leading Women’s Luncheon series is made possible by the generous sponsorship of:
R E G I S T R A T I O N
F O R M
Registration is $20 in advance for members, $25 at the door and for the public, and includes luncheon buffet.
Name(s): ________________________________________________________________ Phone: __________________ Company: ________________________________________Address: ________________________________________ CHECK ENCLOSED FOR $ _________. (PLEASE NOTE: To cancel, please call the Chamber three (3) business days prior to the event to avoid being charged.) Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, 50 Elm Street, Waterville, ME 04901-6015 E-mail: info@midmainechamber.com • PHONE: 873-3315 • FAX: 877-0087
Reach Your Target Audience The InTouch newsletter is sent to over 1,000 business professionals. What better way to reach a responsive audience than with Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce’s news publication? Advertise with us! Pricing 8 ½ x 11 inch single sheet, unfolded 8 ½ x 11 inch single sheet, folded
$150 per issue $175 per issue
650 Inserts Required Inserts must be delivered to the Chamber office by the 3rd Friday of the month. They are also included in our online newsletter, which is emailed to over 1,000 people, shared on our social networks, and added to our Web site. InTouch is printed 11 months per year.
Be wise – print on both sides of your insert. Contact the Chamber TODAY to reserve your space. All requests are taken by date on a first-come, firstserve basis. Call 873-3315 or e-mail Amy at info@midmainechamber.com.
Business to Business Showcase 2014 Thursday, March 27, 2014 Colby College Field House 4000 Mayflower Hill, Waterville 12:00 to 6:00 PM
Join us for mid-Maine’s premier tradeshow, featuring: 2,000+ attendees and unmatched networking $1,000 cash prize Free admission with business card ($5 general admission)
The cost is $199 per booth for members of Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce. Please fax this form to 877-0087 or e-mail Christian at prog.asst@midmainechamber.com to reserve your booth.
Name: ___________________________________________________ Company: ___________________________________________________ Signature: ___________________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________________________ E-mail: ___________________________________________________ *Booth: 1st Choice ________ 2nd Choice ________ 3rd Choice ________ Please check what you would like provided: Electricity
Table
Tablecloth
(Note: tablecloths requested on the day of the event will have an associated cost of $30.)
Do you have internship opportunities available? (Check yes or no.)
YES
NO
If yes, your booth will be marked with a balloon at the showcase. *Please see reverse to view floor plan. Booth choice will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Media sponsor: Program Sponsors: Inland Hospital, Skowhegan Savings, Kennebec Electric & Lighting
www.midmaineb2b.com
1 2 3 4 5 Verizon Wireless 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Downeast Energy 25 26 27 28 29 30 Mount Saint Joseph 31 Care & Comfort 32 Mainebiz 33 34 Tree Spirits Winery & Distillery 35 36 37 38 Liberty Mutual 39 Leaps and Bounds 40 Mount Merici Academy 41 42 43
44 87 EZ to use.com 45 88 A2Z Computing Services 46 Maine-ly Elder Care 89 Mid-Maine Marine 47 Summit Utilities 90 Kennebec Electric & Lighting 48 Kaplan University 91 Steve’s Appliance & Furniture 49 Hampton Inn 92 Electricity Maine 50 Bangor Savings Bank 93 Humane Society Waterville Area 51 Kelly Services 94 United Insurance 52 Delta Ambulance 95 Coldwell Banker Plourde Real Estate 53 Kennebec Federal Savings 96 Thomas College 54 Century 21 Nason Realty 97 B& B Embroidery 55 Vacationland Skydiving 98 Assistance Plus 56 New Dimensions FCU 99 AAA Travel & Insurance 57 MaineGeneral Health 100 American Glass Company 58 MaineGeneral Workplace Health 101 Skowhegan Savings Bank 59 Town of Fairfield 102 Are You Ready to Party? 60 Lynch Landscaping 103 Pete’s Pig Barbeque & Catering 61 Advance 1 Cleaning 104 The Snowman Group 62 People’s United Bank 105 Central Maine Motors 63 Catharsis Media 106 The Bank of Maine 64 Blinds by Design 107 Manpower 65 Cape Air 108 BNI & Elm City Referral Source 66 OTT Communications 109 KeyBank 67 Kennebec Savings Bank 110 McCormack Building Supply 68 PFBF CPA’s 111 Sunset Home of Waterville 69 Mid-Maine Adult Ed 112 TD Bank 70 Waterville Public Library 113 MK Orthodontics 71 SBS Carbon Copy 114 KSW FCU 72 Minuteman Signs 115 Main Security Surveillance 73 Central ME Growth Council 116 74 Transco Business Technologies 117 75 Eye Care of Maine 118 76 Kennebec Valley Comm. College 119 77 Maine Children’s Home 120 78 High Hopes Clubhouse 121 79 Kennebec Behavioral Health 122 Little Pictures Of Maine 80 United Way of Mid-Maine 123 Woodfords Family Services 81 Kennebec Savings Bank 124 82 Waterville Opera House 125 83 Windows Plus 126 84 BONNEY Staffing Center 127 85 Blind Time 128 Hammond Lumber Co. 86 Activity Maine Guide 129 Good Will-Hinckley
130 Morning Sentinel 131 LNClark Inspiration Network 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 SCORE 144 Fireside Inn and Suites 145 Stained Glass Express 146 Best Western Plus Waterville 147 Hospice Volunteers 148 149 150 151 152 Inland Hospital 153 Somerset Stone & Stove 154 155 156 157 158 159 Sexual Assault Crisis & Support Center
160 161 162 Home Energy Answers 163 Camden National Bank 164 165 166 167 Turner Publishing 168 169 170
MID-MAINE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 50 Elm Street, Waterville, ME 04901 207-873-3315 www.midmainechamber.com
Where Does Your Chamber Stand on the Issues? 2014 Policy Positions Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce is dedicated and committed to promoting, educating and advocating for business prosperity and regional economic improvement. Our mission involves advocating for public policy that will assist our region to prosper and grow. The Public Policy Committee has developed and implemented these policy positions for the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce with the endorsement of the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
Health Care The cost of health care remains at the top of the list of concerns to members of the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce. Our Chamber supports: Federal initiatives to aid small businesses and their employees in obtaining affordable comprehen-
sive coverage; federal support for healthcare information technology infrastructure; and, federal policies that encourage providers to develop new healthcare delivery models that reduce costs and improve care. Continue to support reforms like PL90 from the 125th legislature that encourage competition which
lower health care costs. Ensuring changes to our health care systems do not push more people to seek charity care and ulti-
mately cause cost shifting and higher rates for private insurance coverage. Continued support of Healthy Maine Partnership public health initiatives and their further integration
with institutions throughout Maine, including our schools, corporate wellness programs and government agencies. Aligning Maine’s health planning function with the goals of better health for our workers and more
affordable health care. Health care reforms that make the costs of health insurance more affordable for employers and their
employees.
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Education & Workforce Development Educational opportunity and achievement are essential to the region’s economic health and quality of life. Without an educated workforce and diligent efforts to develop the pipeline of workers that businesses need to compete globally, our competitiveness of quality workers will diminish. Our region struggles to replace the high rate of retiring workers with a qualified workforce needed, as our college students are leaving the State for higher paying jobs. To that end, the Chamber supports: Better alignment of educational opportunities and private sector needs. Improved access to higher education through financial aid and by expanding transfer agreements
between the Maine Community College System and four-year institutions. Regional control of a fair share of state and federal workforce development funds to offer educational
programs that will train today’s workers and develop an economy that will attract skilled workers to central Maine. The development of Charter Schools in Maine to ensure all children have a choice in specialized
learning fields. Expansion of early childhood education programs as a funding priority. Education reforms that allow all our educational institutions to better meet the current and future
needs of Maine workers and employers, while better utilizing existing resources and permitting reorganization strategies that serve the same goals.
Transportation Transportation is a key component of economic growth, and as such the Chamber supports making investments in our transportation infrastructure a priority. To that end, the Chamber supports: Public transportation, such as bus systems, that serves the needs of the region’s population, young
and old, enabling them to live, work and have access to our downtowns and other centers of commerce. Development of regional airport and support of passenger and freight rail systems. Satisfactorily maintain roads and bridges (infrastructure). Policies that encourage public and private infrastructure investments in transportation that support
Telecommunications Broadband capacity is now a critical component to economic development within the region. This technology holds the promise of eliminating geography as a concern with respect to our economic growth. Further, the industry mix here – research labs, factories, libraries, educational institutions and biomedical firms – is such that strong broadband connections are a necessity for the central Maine region to be successful. To that end, the Chamber supports: Economic development strategies that target companies with a high demand for bandwidth and to
bring technology firms to our region. Public policies and investments that will allow for greater penetration of high-speed broadband in
our market, especially ultra-high-speed connections used by technology companies. Policies that encourage public and private infrastructure investments in telecommunications that
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Energy The Chamber endorses an energy policy that makes paramount the goal of lowering the cost of power and fuel, while pursuing strategic investments in alternative energy. The Chamber supports: A focus on reducing the cost of electricity and energy ensuring Maine businesses can be more com-
petitive. Development of natural gas supplies and availability of natural gas to consumers, including large-
scale energy users, in the Chamber’s membership region. Regulatory reforms that lower transmission and delivery costs for business and encourages local
distributive generation. Research and development of sustainable alternative energy in transportation as a source of less-
expensive energy for Maine Continued energy conservation and efficiency techniques and strategies, including those of the Effi-
ciency Maine Trust. To implement policies that encourages businesses to upgrade old, inefficient boiler systems to newer cost effective systems. Energy policies that are designed to reduce the high costs of energy to all Maine residential and
Taxes The tax burden on Maine businesses is too high, and the tax structure here discourages growth. The Chamber supports: Taking no action that would increase property taxes. The alignment of State of Maine’s conformity with federal tax laws. A reduction of the overall tax burden for Maine businesses without cost shifting. Continued scrutiny of state spending and the efficiency of government. Lower taxes at every level of government in order to promote more retained earnings for workers,
and more access to investment capital for entrepreneurs and employers of every size.
Regulatory Reform & Policy Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce supports state and regional policies designed to expand opportunity and prosperity to our region. Our Chamber supports: Regulatory reforms that removes barriers to job growth and retention without compromising public
health, environmental and consumer protections. Policies/Regulations that support a reduction in cost of Workers’ Compensation Insurance Government restructuring initiatives that improve the quality of public services and reduce taxpayer
costs. Government spending policies that permit individual incomes to grow faster than the rate of govern-
ment spending growth.
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2014 Board of Directors Brad Fisher, Chair* New Dimensions Federal Credit Union Jeff Corey, 1st Vice Chair* Day’s Jewelers David Roy, 2nd Vice Chair* Kennebec Savings Bank Bruce Harrington, Director-at-Large* Skowhegan Savings Bank Nicole Desjardins, Past Chair* Hampton Inn Gary Zemrak, Treasurer* Johnny’s Selected Seeds Kimberly Lindlof, President & CEO* Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce Dan Bickford Eagle Rental Mike Fortin Fortin’s Home Furnishings Sara Dyer Inland Hospital Joe Karter Jokas’ Discount Beverages Gary Levesque New York Life Insurance Darlene Ratte Best Western Plus Renee Hawthorne Skowhegan Savings Bank Darryl Sterling Central Maine Growth Council Tonya Clark T-Mobile Ken Hoehlein FairPoint Communications Kelly Winslow Bangor Savings Bank Mary Carpinito Amici’s Cucina Scott Bullock MaineGeneral Beth Gibbs Thomas College *denotes member of Executive Committee
Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce 50 Elm Street Waterville, ME 04901
PRE-SORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #146 Waterville, ME 04901
Contact Your Representatives Regional State Representatives Representative Henry Beck—District 76 PO Box 1723, Waterville, ME 04903 henry.beck@gmail.com 873-4343 Representative H. David Cotta—District 55 55 53rd Fire Rd, China, ME 04358 cotta@fairpoint.net 445-4067 Representative Lori Fowle—District 58 305 Taber Hill Rd, Vassalboro, ME 04989 lorifowlehouse58@gmail.com 872-7268 Representative Brian Jones—District 45 12 Burnham Hill Rd, Freedom, ME 04941 representativebrianjones@gmail.com 385-5226 Representative Dennis Keschl—District 83 1024 Wings Mills Rd, Belgrade, ME 04917 keschl@yahoo.com 495-2973 Representative Karen Kusiak—District 84 66 Bray Ave, Fairfield, ME 04937 karen.kusiak@colby.edu 453-6834 Representative Thomas Longstaff—District 77 39 Pleasant St, Waterville, ME 04901 thomas.longstaff@gmail.com 872-6617 Representative Catherine Nadeau—District 54 23 Patterson Ave, Winslow, ME 04901 nadeau1@roadrunner.com 873-2025 Representative Robert Nutting—District 78 PO Box 100, Oakland, ME 04963 bob@bobnutting.com 465-7139 Representative Stanley Short—District 29 PO Box 103, Pittsfield, ME 04967 repstanley.short@legislature.maine.gov 487-4944
Regional State Senators Senator Roger Katz—District 24 3 Westview St, Augusta, ME 04330 rkatz@lipmankatzmckee.com 485-2394 Senator Colleen Lachowicz—District 25 1 Kelsey St #2, Waterville, ME 04901 colleenforsenate@gmail.com 692-7143 Senator Thomas Saviello—District 18 60 Applegate Ln, Wilton, ME 04294 drtom16@hotmail.com 645-3420 Senator Michael Thibodeau—District 23 169 Coles Corner Rd, Winterport, ME 04496 senatorthibodeau@aol.com 223-5177 Senator Rodney Whittemore—District 26 PO Box 96, Skowhegan, ME 04976 rodwhittemore@gmail.com 474-6703
U.S. Congressional Delegation Senator Susan Collins—statewide 622-8414 www.collins.senate.gov Senator Angus King—statewide 622-8292 www.king.senate.gov Congresswoman Chellie Pingree—1st District 774-5019 www.pingree.house.gov Congressman Michael Michaud—2nd District 942-6935 www.michaud.house.gov
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