News
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,...
SCEC announces new micro grant program for Washington County small businesses
With support from the Maine Community Foundation and private donors, Sunrise County Economic Council brings you Sunrise $eed Grants, a micro grant fund offering Washington County startups and small businesses helpful injections to address hurdles and propel...
Washington County Recovery Friendly Workplace Project Needs to Hear from YOU!
In Washington County, the opportunity to build recovery-friendly workplaces presents a unique win-win for community members impacted by substance use disorder and for employers faced with unprecedented recruitment and retention challenges. The intersection of...
Financial Empowerment 101: Your Money, YOUR Future.
Washington County Community College, MaineStreet Business Building (a program of Sunrise County Economic Council), Machias Savings Bank, and MaineStream Finance have joined forces with partners, to bring you... Financial Empowerment 101: Your...
USDA Rural Development awards $99,900 to help launch MaineStreet Business Building
by BDN Community October 20, 2021 MaineStreet Business Building, a program of Sunrise County Economic Council, was recently awarded a Rural Business Development Grant from USDA in the amount of $99,900 as part of a $539,053 investment in seven Maine...
First National Bank supports entrepreneurship center
First National Bank recently announced a $15,000 contribution to the Sunrise County Economic Council towards the future MaineStreet Business Building. Located at 19 Main St. in Machias, the MaineStreet Business Building will be a hub of...
Machias entrepreneurship center campaign nears 75 percent of goal
by Jayna Smith of Machias Valley News Observer MaineStreet Business Building is one step closer to its new building, thanks to a recent donation by Pratt Family Dealerships and other local businesses. The center, a program of Sunrise County...
$1M capital campaign for MaineStreet Business Building nears completion
by BDN Community July 1, 2021 Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC), sponsor of the MaineStreet Business Building, recently crossed $850,000 in committed funds for its $1.05 million capital campaign, bringing the project one step closer to reality and...