News
From Montana to Maine: Finding New Roots with SCEC Support
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...
Youth Step Up to Support Local Businesses
The Washington County Youth Leadership Challenge (WCYLC) wrapped up an incredible first year with students from across the region leading real, meaningful change in their communities. Students chose from four challenges focused on community issues that matter,...
Griffin Lumber Builds on Tradition and Innovation
Dale Griffin has always enjoyed being in the woods. His knowledge of lumber harvesting and milling wood came in handy for building piers and a pavilion for his lobstering business. Along with his son, Brent Griffin, the two have worked according to the seasons –...
Community Connections Fairs: Jobs, Resources, and Family Fun in Machias & Calais
June 2, 2025 Over the past few months, we had the joy of partnering with Family Futures Downeast to host two incredible Community Connections Fairs—one in Machias and one in Calais—each packed with energy, collaboration, and meaningful moments. These events were all...
2025 MSBB Impact Report
The MaineStreet Business Building (MSBB), centrally located in downtown Machias, has rapidly established itself as the premier business hub in Washington County. MSBB has leveraged $1.815 million in funding from grants, philanthropic contributions, and sub-awards from...
Opportunities Fair Provides A Day of Discovery, Inspiration, and Connection
2025 Opportunities Fair Recap On Tuesday, May 13th, students, educators, and community members gathered at the Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology (CWCIT) for the 2025 Opportunities Fair—a vibrant, hands-on event designed to connect students in grades...
SCEC Goes Overboard (On Purpose!) for Safety at Sea
Last week, Brooke from the SCEC team took the plunge—literally—at an incredible marine safety training, offered in partnership between Fishing Partnership Support Services and the Maine Lobstermen's Association, designed to equip fishermen and coastal workers with...
MSBB’s Coastal Opportunities Advisor Featured on Fishermen’s Forum Panel
During this year’s Maine Fishermen’s Forum, I was fortunate enough to sit on a panel for the Island Institute as they launched their Strengthening Maine’s Fishing Futures toolkit. The toolkit is a collaboration of local business support and workforce development organizations, including SCEC, and includes resources, assistance, and financing available to fishermen and their families. The aim of this program is to provide tools and services crafted to the needs of our local commercial fishing communities to help make fishing more profitable and/or diversify fishermen’s income. My role on the panel was to represent some of the work we do in Washington County. I look forward to seeing how these new tools and programs can be used to increase income for fishermen in our region.
Pathways 2.0 Kickoff Sessions Cover Branding and Design
Partners in Entrepreneurial Pathways 2.0: Beyond the Business Plan launched for the Spring semester last Tuesday and it’s been a wonderful first couple weeks of class. In our kickoff sessions, Ashley Hinson Dhakal, Communications Manager here at SCEC and owner of AHD...
Digital Literacy Classes Being Offered in Partnership with NDEC
Exciting Partnership with NDEC! We’re thrilled to announce a new partnership between the MaineStreet Business Building (MSBB) and the National Digital Equity Center (NDEC)! This collaboration allows us to bring engaging, in-person digital literacy classes to our...
The Pros and Cons to Using Artificial Intelligence in Government Contracting
By Jessica Crowley, Maine APEX Accelerator, and Geoffrey Lagat, Client Technology Advisor Artificial Intelligence has been entering all aspects of our daily lives for years now. Recently, we have been hearing more about A.I. in business settings and in government...
What is Beneficial Ownership Information and Why do I need to report it?
by Jessica Crowley, Maine APEX Accelerator Beneficial Ownership January 1st, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act was put into effect; this requires certain entities, including many small businesses, to report information about the individuals who ultimately own or...
Preparing the Future Workforce in Maine’s Forest Products Sector
First-ever Accredited Course for Forest Products Sector Careers is Back for Fall 2024 Machias, ME – The Business of Maine’s Forest Products Sector course is back and will begin again on October 1 with a free 10-week asynchronous course and workshop series. This...
HUBZone Certification Gives Businesses Access to More Federal Contracts
Did you know that Washington County is designated as a HUBZone? A HUBZone is a Historically Underutilized Business Zone. This is a federally designated and recognized area that needs economic stimulation. There are many factors that determine if an area qualifies as a...
Touring Marshall Cove Mussels off the Coast of Islesboro, Maine
Last month, I received an invitation to join the Island Institute as they visited a small mussel farm off the coast of Islesboro and I was more than happy for this opportunity to spend my workday outside boating around in the waters further down Maine’s coast. On the...
FishAbility, a Working Waterfront Resource
by Amanda Smith, Coastal Opportunities Advisor at MaineStreet Business Building The majority of working waterfront folks that I know envision working in their careers for the rest of their lives. Due to much of this work being physically demanding and repetitive, it’s...
Resource Fairs A Success in Washington County
MSBB & Peabody Memorial Library teamed up to offer a successful Community Resource Fair! On Tuesday, July 9th, the MaineStreet Business Building (MSBB) and Peabody Memorial Library in Jonesport collaborated to present a Community Resource Fair, which welcomed 17...
The Business of Maine’s Forest Products Sector Course
Training the next generation of Maine’s aquaculture workforce
by Bangor Daily News courtesy of Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center August 19, 2022 Maine’s working waterfronts are diversifying, forging innovative businesses and dynamic supply chains. The future resiliency of our working waterfronts is dependent on the...
A new downtown Machias building will offer startups a space to grow
by Peter Van Allen of MaineBiz August 3, 2022 At a recent Mainebiz “On the Road” event in Machias, Town Manager Bill Kitchen may have been the town’s most vocal advocate, indicating that the Washington County locale was “on fire.” In the past two years,...