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Maine Connections  November 2010
Greetings!

Thaxter TraftonIt has been a busy fall thus far here in DECD. We were excited at the opportunity to participate in the first Mainebiz Momentum Convention at the end of October. We had a wonderful time speaking with the visitors at the DECD booth and sharing information on the resources available for economic and community development. We were also proud to sponsor keynote speaker, Doug Hall, whose presentation on innovation was very well received. Doug is a big supporter of the state of Maine and a really talented individual.

The energy at the convention was evident, which is a good sign that Mainers are embracing a positive spirit, looking forward with optimism and enthusiasm and...gaining momentum.
Congratulations to Mainebiz on a successful event!

All the best,


Thaxter Trafton signature
Commissioner Thaxter R. Trafton

www.businessinmaine.com

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In This Issue
New Maine Made Members Announced
DECD Business Tip
Business Development Specialists Recognized
MTAF Award Recipients Announced
Harvest on the Harbor Makes a Splash
Upcoming Events
DECD assistance programs
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DECD is proud to welcome the following new Maine Made members!

 
Maine Made Ella's Candy, Lewiston
Heart of the Earth, Clinton
Lost Loon Farms, Cambridge
Mainesscent, Kennebunk
Moose Hill Turnings, Jay
Nana Mary's Stitches, Farmingdale

DECD Business Tip of the Month

 

Stay Competitive: Take Advantage of Training Initiatives like GTI

Encouraging the creation and expansion of high-quality jobs in Maine is a top priority. DECD and the Department of Labor have joined forces to provide Maine's workforce with the best possible training programs. The Governor's Training Initiative program develops and coordinates training for firms intending to expand or locate in Maine, reorganize a workplace to remain competitive, or upgrade worker skills. Eligible businesses may receive reimbursements for on-the-job training, competitive retooling, assessment, job-task analysis, workplace safety and literacy, specialized recruitment, high-performance skills, or customized technical training. Click here for more information.

Business Development Specialists Complete Training, Recognized by Governor


BDS Recognition
Governor John E. Baldacci congratulated Maine's regional business development specialists (BDS), trained and certified by DECD, at a special event on October 21. The BDS program is part of a statewide effort to regionalize economic development.


Maine Technology Asset Fund Award Recipients AnnouncedMTAF-1


Maine Technology Institute (MTI) President Betsy Biemann announced in October that the MTI Board of Directors has approved a total of $7.25 million of Maine Technology Asset Fund (MTAF) awards to 10 organizations across Maine. The awards will be matched by over $13 million in additional funding for the projects. The recipients were recognized by Governor Baldacci with support from DECD deputy MTAF-2commissioner Brian Hodges and director of the Office of Innovation, Dr. Catherine Renault in the Cabinet Room of the Governor's Office last month.

This third round of MTAF awards covers projects located from Auburn to Fort Fairfield and Portland to Eastport in Maine's seven targeted technology sectors.
These MTAF awardees will help to develop technologies that build on Maine MTAF-3strengths such as aquaculture and agriculture, as well as emerging clusters such as renewable energy, high performance computing, composites and precision manufacturing and biotechnology.

For more information
and to view the list of MTAF round three recipients, please click here.

HarvestontheHarbor
Maine's 2010 Lobster Chef of the Year, Kelly Patrick Farrin of Azure Caf, prepares a delicious dish at Harvest on the Harbor.
Photo credit: Greater Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau and Focus Photography.
Harvest on the Harbor Makes a Splash

Harvest on the Harbor 2010, the three-day food and wine festival on Portland's waterfront featured talented chefs, restaurants and many Maine Made businesses and products and attracted more than 5,000 people to Portland and the surrounding area. Attendees included exhibitors, volunteers, media, sponsors and food-lovers, who generated more than $2 million for the local economy. Ten percent of the Maine people attending commuted from more than 50 miles from Portland. More than 60 businesses sponsored the event, along with the Maine Office of Tourism.


Attendees at the third annual event traveled from 34 states to sample tasty treats from nationally recognized chefs as well as award-winning local chefs. Kelly Patrick Farrin, Sous Chef at Azure Caf� in Freeport, earned the title of Maine Lobster Chef of the Year 2010.

Mainebiz Momentum Convention a Success

MainebizMomentumConvention2010-1
DECD's Elaine Scott joins Senator Susan Collins, Governor John Baldacci and others for the ribbon cutting ceremony at the convention.
The first Mainebiz Momentum Convention was held last month at the Augusta Civic Center. Hundreds of attendees participated by visiting exhibitor booths, attending educational workshops and networking with other business people from around the state. DECD sponsored the keynote speaker, Doug Hall CEO of Eureka! Ranch. Doug did a fantastic job speaking about innovation and the potential for businesses in our state to excel.


Next year's event has already been scheduled for October 19, 2011. Mark your calendar now and make plans to be there.
MainebizMomentumConvention2010-2
DECD's Jeanne St. Pierre talks with a visitor to the DECD booth at the convention.
Photo credit: Tim Greenway


Photos from the event can be found here:
http://www.mainebiz.biz/momentumconvention.html

Upcoming Events:
November
Saturday, November 6

Reception: 2 - 5 p.m.

Gallery Talk: 2:30-3 p.m.

"Thread by Thread" on View at Maine Fiberarts

 

Maine Fiberarts is displaying the handwoven and mixed media screen artwork of artist Sarah D. Haskell of York, Maine. This celebration of Haskell's work, entitled "Thread by Thread" at Maine Fiberarts Center/Gallery at 13 Main Street in Topsham is on view until November 30. A reception open to the public takes place November 6 from 2-5 p.m. The artist will give a Gallery Talk about her work on November 6, from 2:30-3 p.m.


Monday-Tuesday, November 8-9
Maine Innkeepers Association 89th Annual Meeting and Conference
The Cliff House Resort & Spa, Shore Road, Ogunquit

This two-day meeting and conference attracts more than 100 owners and managers of hotels, motels, inns, resorts and B&Bs from throughout the state. Attendees will have a chance to participate in a number of workshops, network with members and visit exhibitor booths.

Wednesday, November 10
Western Mountains Alliance 2010 Annual Meeting
4:30 - 7 p.m.
North Dining Hall, University of Maine Farmington, South Street, Farmington


Some of us grew up here, others have migrated in. Whatever our histories, we've stayed, tucked in the mountains and small towns of western Maine. Why choose this place to do business, raise families, create and explore? Join us for a thoughtful discussion with authors Bill Roorbach and Robert Kimber, and members of the Brochu family of Stratton. For more information, please visit: http://www.westernmountainsalliance.org/AnnualMeeting2010.html


December
Wednesday, December 1

States Resources Available for Economic and Community Development Presentation

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

River Valley Technology Center, Rumford


DECD Deputy Commissioner Brian Hodges will offer a presentation on the services and programs offered by the state to help businesses and communities grow and thrive in Maine. Hodges will discuss several resources offered by DECD including the Tax Increment Financing program, the Governor's Training Initiative program, Pine Tree Development Zones, Community Development Block Grants and more. For more information and to R.S.V.P. by Nov. 26, please contact Beverly Crosby at the River Valley Growth Council by phone at 207-369-0396 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Various Dates:
Maine Technology Institute (MTI) Webinars

Maine Technology Institute is offering several webinars for entrepreneurs to learn how to apply for funding to support business planning, market research, intellectual property filing, prototype development or later-stage R&D. For a list of webinar dates, times and topics, please visit: http://www.mainetechnology.org/.