Matt LaBeau, owner of Calais Powersports, recently reached a major milestone—purchasing the building at 334 North Street and securing a permanent home for his growing small engine and recreational vehicle repair business.
Calais Powersports opened its doors in January 2024, filling a critical service gap in the region for powersports and small engine repairs, from chainsaws to ATVs. With guidance and support from Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC) and a loyal customer base, the business has grown steadily, fueled by word-of-mouth and Matt’s hands-on, customer-first approach.
To make the building purchase possible, Matt secured a business loan through Machias Savings Bank, with gap financing provided by the Sunrise Loan Fund—a program of SCEC that helps bridge the difference between what a bank will lend and what a business owner needs to complete a project. “It’s great to see another business open in our area and to be able to help make that happen,” said Susan Hatton, SCEC’s longtime Grant and Loan Manager, who assisted with the loan before her recent retirement.
Matt also worked closely with Peter Piconi, Business Resilience Advisor at MaineStreet Business Building (an SCEC program), to develop a comprehensive business plan. This no-cost advising service helped strengthen his loan application and is available to all entrepreneurs and business owners in Washington County.
Looking ahead, Matt is focused on building a team to manage the increasing workload, while remaining committed to keeping the business independent and avoiding the high costs and constraints of becoming a dealership.
“It’s been a lot of work, but the community here has been incredibly patient and supportive,” said Matt, who moved from Montana just before the pandemic and now lives in Calais with his wife. A longtime motorcycle enthusiast, he added, “I’ve always loved working on bikes—figuring out what’s wrong and bringing them back to life is the fun part.”
The Sunrise Loan Fund is available to businesses across Washington County and prioritizes projects that support job creation and retention. For more information, contact Meredith Mawhar, Grant and Loan Program Manager at SCEC, at mmawhar@sunrisecounty.org or (207) 259-5116.
Calais Powersports is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, or call (207) 952-9007.