InTouchInTouchInTouch MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2011

50 ELM STREET, WATERVILLE, ME 04901 • TEL: (207) 873-3315 • FAX: (207) 877-0087 • E-MAIL: info@midmainechamber.com WEB SITE: www.midmainechamber.com • Bart Stevens, Chair of the Board • Kimberly N. Lindlof, President & CEO

Highlights in this Issue:

P. 2: From the President’s Chair P. 3: Member Events Calendar P. 7: Member People P. 8: Member Spotlight — Central Maine Growth Council Insert: Chamber Award Nominations Form

Maine Business Watch is on the air!

By Sara Dyer

Greater Waterville area businesses have a new opportunity to showcase themselves on a new program called Maine Business Watch – and the show’s hosts are familiar faces to Chamber mem-bers.

Robyn Loubier and Christian Savage of the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce started profil-ing local businesses in the 30-minute show in September. The first episode of Maine Business Watch is now available online featuring the own-ers of Bug Busterzzz Pest Control, Matt Allen and Dave King.

“We are really excited about this program because it will show what our area has to offer,” says Christian Savage. “It visually connects the public with not only local businesses but their employees, managers, and owners along with their products and services. The best thing about this show is that we not only provide you with a state-of-the-art program, we also give you the

viewing platforms to air it and reach potential customers all across the state.”

The Chamber partnered with MaineVOD (Video on Demand) to develop the new program that will be aired on Time Warner Cable Channel 9, which is available to more than 775,000 people in Maine and New Hampshire. The program will be easy to catch as it will have several convenient air times: Saturdays at 9 a.m., Sundays 7:30 p.m.,

By Peter Nielsen Oakland has been turning lemons into lemonade throughout the tough economy. Federal and state stimulus grants pro-vided support for a man-dated $6 million sewer connection to Water-ville, several energy efficiency projects, pub-lic safety communications and staffing up-grades, and help towards a bio-mass boiler for the Messalonskee schools. A proposed natural gas pipeline through town could pro-vide in the mid-term an energy alternative for larger commercial customers, FirstPark busi-nesses, and eventually smaller energy cus-tomers. Oakland is poised to vote on a new police/fire/town office building in November, as part of its program to update and maintain its infrastructure. In conjunction with a robust road repair and repaving schedule, the town

Continued on Page 2

The next Business Breakfast, pre-sented by Thomas College in partner-ship with the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, will host Senate President Kevin Raye, Senate Minority Leader Barry Hobbins, Speaker of the House Bob Nutting, and House Minority Leader Emily Cain, as they recap ac-complishments and disappointments of the first half of the 125th legislative

session as well as inform us of what to expect in the second half of the session. The presentation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the Student Commons Atrium

on Thomas College’s campus at 180 West River Road in Waterville.

Kevin Raye Barry Hobbins Bob Nutting Emily Cain

Christian Savage and Robyn Loubier host MMCC’s latest venture -- 30-minute videos profiling local businesses.

‘It visually connects the public with not only local businesses but their employees, manag-ers, and owners along with their products and services.’

-Christian Savage

Oakland looks to November vote on municipal building

Continued on Page 2

Legislative leaders pan 125th session at Oct. 12 breakfast

Continued on Page 2

27 Cool Street • Waterville, ME 04901 (207) 873-0721 • Fax (207) 877-2287

www.genesishcc.com Rehabilitation and Living Centers

www.centralmaine.com

- Kimberly

From the President’s

Chair

Bowdoin Photography

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Care and Comfort Wednesday, October 19

5:30-7:00 PM 180 Main Street, Waterville

Next Business After Hours:

Beer, wine, & hors d’oeuvres

Thank you to our 50/50 Sponsor:

• Business Watch

This school season, Messalonskee High School's Paula Callan and I are working to-

gether to coordinate the Mid-Maine Chamber's latest effort to educate local high school stu-dents about the workforce/job opportunities in our region. We have nine Lunch With A Pro-fessional sessions scheduled on the third Tues-day of each month.

Students sign up in advance to listen to a speaker provide an overview of a particular occupation or field. So, for example, speakers will discuss such careers as early childhood education, pulp and paper, computer technol-ogy, construction or engineering. Speakers will review such things as education require-ments, expected work hours, opportunity for advancement, pay scales, how to dress -- all those things that one can expect when entering that particular field. Time is provided for questions from the students, and the speaker is provided in advance with a list of questions that the presentation should cover.

In May 2012, we hope to try a panel of en-

trepreneurs, each with different focuses, in order to complement the efforts of the KV Entrepreneurial Network and try to foster that spirit in our youth. If you're interested in serv-ing on this panel, or speaking at one of our Lunch With A Professional, please let me know.

Continued from Page 1 In addition, there is online viewing at

www.MaineVOD.com or www.MaineBusinessWatch.tv, as well as a link on the Chamber’s website and Facebook page. Chamber members are encouraged to add the program link on their websites.

According to Robyn Loubier, “Because the show is still in its infancy, we have been con-tacting chamber members to inform them of this new benefit. If a business is interested in a show or sponsorship, they can contact the Chamber at 873-3315. There is a cost associ-

ated with this production, but it’s a fraction of what one might expect. The chamber and our sponsors help finance the show, therefore mak-ing it more affordable to our members.”

Loubier adds, “MaineVOD does an excel-lent job with this production. It’s shot in high definition so it looks and sounds excellent! When purchasing a show, you get exclusive rights and copies to it for further use.”

Video makes your business come to life and the wide exposure of the program can help chamber members really grow their business! Contact Christian or Robyn at 873-3315 to discuss how you could be the next star of Maine Business Watch!

Continued from Page 1 recently replaced a piece of fire apparatus, and historically supports a wide range of positive activities such as milfoil eradication, a commu-nity garden, kids’ and adult programs at the Library and through the Recreation Depart-ment.

I entered municipal government in awe of town meeting democracy, where people who expect service get to decide how much of it to fund without reliance on supersized boards, or representatives outvoted by kaleidoscopic com-binations of others. A good speech or a well

organized group can still carry the day. The Oakland town meeting affirms a faith in gov-ernment.

The possibilities Oakland town meeting pro-vides make me leery of the rush to regionalism. The promised economies of scale from a re-gionalized approach often don’t materialize, but decision making authority usually flows away from local citizens under that approach. Oak-land sets a fine example in demonstrating how adept town citizens can be in meeting their own needs. – Peter Nielsen, is the Town Manager of Oakland

• Oakland

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Oct. 2: LN Clark information network, caring connections through your cancer journey’s Apple-bees pancake breakfast fundraiser 8-10 a.m. on KMD Waterville. Tickets on sale at the door with 50/50 drawing and raffle items. The Fall/Winter Raffle Tickets are also available for purchase, $5 each ticket or 5 for $20, with 4 chances to win. FMI: Tami Clark, 453-2553. Oct. 2: REM Vintage Tea 1 p.m. in REM Forum at The Center, 93 Main St., downtown Water-ville.An old-fashioned tea with hot and cold sa-vories and sweets. Presentation on Crazy Quilts by Debbie Quirion.$15/person - reservations re-quested (873-4444)or ihttp://www.rem1.org/remnet/detail.html?id=1306

Oct. 9: Kennebec Messalonskee Trails 3rd annual mushroom event at the Quarry Road Recreational Area,Waterville at 1 p.m. Mushroom expert, Rich-ard Tory will present a workshop “The Top 10 Choice Edible Wild Mushrooms” and self-guided tour of the area with signage of mushroom sites found on and off the trails. Free and will be held rain or shine. Donations to KMTrails accepted. FMI: www.kmtrails.org or call 872-2940

Oct. 11: Mosaics as an art, 5- 7:30 p.m. through Nov. 8 at Stained Glass Express. Cost $65 plus glass and consumables. Brenda Jolin, teacher. FMI: www.stainedglassexpress.com Oct. 13:Glass bead making, from 5:30- 8 p.m. through Nov. 10, Stained Glass Express. Cost $75 but must purchase a bead-making kit, safety glasses $120.64, and cylinder of MAPP Gas. Pam Wilcox, teacher. FMI: www.stainedglassexpress .com Oct. 18: Youth Homelessness Forum, 7:30-9:45a.m., REM Forum at The Center 93 Main St., Downtown Waterville. Reservations requested for seating and free continental break-fast: FMI: 877-2258, CManson@mainechildrens home.org or www.rem1.org/remnet/detail.html?id=1315 Oct 12: Navigating FMLA – Return to Work and Issues under the New ADAA Regulations, 7:30-9:30 a.m. T & B Celebration Center, Waterville. Frederick B. Finberg, Esquire of The Bennett Law Firm will navigate through the new FMLA regula-tions as well as discuss return to work and other

reasonable accommodation issues under the new ADAA regulations. Oct. 18: Youth Homelessness Forum, 7:30-9:45a.m., REM Forum at The Center 93 Main St., Downtown Waterville. Reservations requested for seating and free continental break-fast: FMI: 877-2258, CManson@maine childrenshome.org or http://www.rem1.org/remnet/detail.html?id=1315 Oct. 20: KVCC Open House 4-6 p.m. in the King Hall featuring campus tours, financial aid guid-ance, program information, and much more. Re-freshments and a barbecue. Free and open to the public.

Oct. 20: Open house and ribbon cutting, Kenned-bec Medical Consultants, 13 Railroad Square5 :30-7 p.m. See Insert. FMI: Suzanne 877-9562.

Oct 22: Hardy Girls Healthy Women’s Freaky 5K Fun Run & Walk at Colby College in Water-ville, ME. The Freaky 5K raises money each year for Hardy Girls Healthy Women . If you can’t be part of the event, give a sponsorship or pledge support of a participant at www.firstgiving.com/hardygirls.

Oct. 22: High Hopes Jam, benefit concert for Wa-terville's High Hopes Clubhouse. Three acts 7:30 p.m. at the Unity Centre for the Performing Arts at Unity College, 42, Depot St., in Unity. Tickets $15. FMI:l 215-9129, 872-6702 or 948-SHOW.

Oct 29:The REM Craft Fair, sponsored by Colby College, will be held at Champion's Fitness Club at 30 Elm Plaza in Waterville: Sat:10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sun:10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Over 80 juried Maine artisans. Homemade food and drink. FMI: www.rem1.org or call 873-4444.

Oct. 29: Inland Hospital brings the Portland Symphony Orchestra to the area on for its Fall Pops Concert. The annual fund raising event will be held at the Messalonskee Performing Arts Center in Oakland and proceeds will support new equipment in the Birthing Center and Inland Re-habWorks. Tickets on sale now at 861-3028. See insert.

Everborne Consulting Group Ozzie White PO Box 428 Rockport, ME 04856 Phone: 701-1134 eowhite@EverborneConsulting.com Green Sky Development Alisa Meggison PO BOX 1445 Waterville, ME 04903 Phone: 409-7200 alisa@greenskydevelopment.com Kennebec Medical Consultants Dr. Jerald E. Hurdle P.O. Box 805 13 Railroad Square Waterville, ME 04903-0805 Phone: 877-9562 suzanneperry@roadrunner.com Vassalboro Business Association Tera Coull PO Box 31 Vassalboro Maine 04962 Phone: 973-3911 terac@klarity.com AT&T Owen Smith Jr. 400 Scarborough Dr. S. Portland Maine 04106 Phone: 771-8511 0s5414@att.com Summertime in the Belgrades Erle Morse PO Box 290 Belgrade Lakes, ME 04918 Phone: 495-3331 ebelnews@earthlink.net Decal Gymnastics, Inc, Carol Evans PO Box 2087 Skowhegan, ME 04976 Phone: 474-3222 decalgym.carol@gmail.com

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St. John Regional Catholic School has added an art program, under the direction of Hollie Hil-ton. Miss Hilton has a BFA in Drawing and Paint-ing and is a certified Art Teacher. She lives in Vas-salboro where she teaches art lessons in her studio on Saturdays. During a celebratory dinner cruise aboard Casco Bay Lines, Randy Klatt of Maine Employers Mu-tual Insurance Company delivered a Workplace Safety Award to Delta Amabulance Executive Director Tim Beals for One-Million hours worked without a loss-time injury. Delta crossed the mil-lion hour mark on June 12, 2011. Allegiant Air is adding new, nonstop service be-tween Bangor International Airport and Fort Lauderdale beginning Nov. 17. The new flights will operate on Thursdays and Sundays between BIA and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and fares will start as low as $84.99 one way for certain flights and travel days. Spectrum Generations will host Medicare Part D clinics at each of its local centers in Topsham, Damariscotta, Rockland, Belfast, Hallowell, Water-ville, and Skowhegan. Each year the Center for Medicare Services (CMS) offers an open enroll-ment period for Medicare beneficiaries. This year the open enrollment period is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Caregivers are encouraged to gather their lists of prescription drugs and call Spectrum Generations at 1-800-639-1553: TTY 1-800-464-8703 VFW Memorial Post 6924 donated $5,000 for the construction of a new basketball court at the Water Street Playground in Fairfield. It is expected that the fundraising goal will be met by October and the new basketball court will be built by Thanksgiving. The Town of Fairfield winter Walking at the Community Center will begin on Monday, Nov. 14 and run on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. until the end of April. Fairfield Farmers’ Market will be open through Oct. 29 on Wednesdays from 2-6 p.m. and Satur-days from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 81 Main St. in Fairfield in the parking lot of the Church of the Nazarene. It is now accepting food stamps.

Maine companies named to the U.S. Small Busi-ness Administration's SBA 100 list, which high-lights companies that have received SBA aid and created at least 100 jobs this year inncluded Care & Comfort Inc. of Waterville, according to press releases from SBA's Maine district office Through the generosity and hard work of Kenny Quirion, the St. John Regional Catholic School. school library was completely renovated this sum-mer. The renovation included fresh paint, new ceil-ings and lights, beautiful ceiling fans, air condi-tioner, new floors, bright comfortable furniture and much more. As summer winds down, thoughts of fall and the holidays are not far behind. Wish your loved ones a happy holiday season with Pine Tree Society’s holiday cards. Holiday cards may be purchased securely on Pine Tree Society’s website. Holiday cards may also be ordered by calling 443-3341.

In 2010, Skowhegan Savings partnered with Covisia Solutions, Inc. and Efficiency Maine to capitalize on a money and energy saving opportu-nity to trade in traditional desktop computers for energy efficient devices throughout the 10 bank branches. The updates will save Skowhegan Sav-ings $17,000 per year in energy costs. JMG's Project Reach Specialists and their stu-dents spent hours in the sun planting school and community gardens. As part of the program, Victor Esposito and his Project Reach students from Vassalboro Community School completed their third year of gardening, and they keep expand-ing their operation. Seniors alone in their homes without enough food to eat are being helped by Spectrum Generations Meals on Wheels. Donations and volunteers area always needed Call 1-800-639-1553 or donate online at spectrumgenerations.org.

From left, KimLindlof, board chair, Mayor Dana Sennett, and Diane Bryan, executive director, break ground for construction of the new Water-ville Opera House Sept. 15.

Other News The first Move More Walking Club class/walk will meet at the North Street playground picnic tables. A schedule for all walk locations in the Waterville area will be provided at the first class. This course meets Monday and Wednesday from 5-6 p.m. for 4 weeks starting Oct. To register: http://midmaine.maineadulted.org/courses/course/move_more_walking_club. Tax Tips that were issued during this summer by the IRS are still available at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/content/0,,id=104608,00.html The Town of Unity received an energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant making Unity Resi-dents eligible for: $300 to help pay for an energy audit of your home; Up to $500 to implement recommendations from your energy audit. There is also a non-audit program that pays up to $500 for insulation and air sealing installed in your home. Efficiency Maine has a program for busi-nesses, so that you pay a nominal fee to have an energy audit done. FMI: Amanda Jamison at amandaj@uninets.net

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Good Health = Good Business

By William McPeck

For a number of columns now, I have been re-viewing Maine’s voluntary worksite wellness program standard. This month I am going to intro-duce you to a new standard coming out of Canada.

In 2010, I gave a presentation at the National Wellness Conference titled: The Standards Are Coming. In that presentation, I covered the URAC and NCQA wellness program standards targeting wellness program vendors and the Maine employer targeted standard I have been sharing with you. I also stated that Maine’s standard would be only the first of many standards to emerge in the future.

There is now a new standard in town. The stan-dard is the BNQ Standard 9700-800 Prevention, Promotion and Organizational Practices for Health in the Workplace, released in Canada by the Bu-reau of Normalisation du Quebec (BNQ) and de-veloped by the Quebec non-profit, Groupe Promo-tion and Prevention Sante or GP2S. BNQ is an organization for standardization, certification and distribution of information on standards and is officially recognized by Quebec’s provincial gov-ernment and accredited by the Standards Council of Canada. GP2S is a non-profit organization in Quebec dedicated to the promotion of health and prevention of disease in the workplace.

The new standard is commonly referred to as the “Healthy Enterprise Standard” and has as its purpose the maintenance and sustainability of employee health in the workplace by: •Integrating health values into management prac-tices •Creating a workplace environment that supports employees taking personal responsibility for their health •Helping employees acquire good health habits •Employers maintaining a healthy work environ-ment •The Healthy Enterprise Standard has two objec-tives: (1) Specifying a set of actions designed to sig-

nificantly contribute to employee health. (2) Certifying and recognizing company em-

ployee health efforts..

The Healthy Enterprise Standard covers four areas of practice: •Employee health habits •Work-personal life balance •The working environment •Management practices

Currently, the only entity offering certification under the standard, that I am aware of, is GP2S. GP2S currently offers two levels of certification: •Healthy Enterprise:

Minimally meeting the standards •Healthy Enterprise Elite:

Health related actions and program integration that exceed the standard.

As part of their certification program, GP2S has created a certification manual “Healthy Enter-prise” and a supplement on the psychologically healthy workplace. Unfortunately, at this time, both the certification program and the manuals are only available in French. English translations are currently underway and are expected to be re-leased some time in 2012.

This standard joins other international work-place standards in the areas of quality, environ-mental practices and safety. Like Maine’s stan-dard, it will be interesting to see how much trac-tion this standard generates.

You can learn more about and purchase the standard at BNQ at www.bnq.qc.ca.

You can learn more about GP2S and its certifi-cation program at www.gp2s.net .

Bill McPeck is a Certified Worksite Wellness Program Consultant and Director of Employee Health and Safety for Maine State Government. Contact Bill with your questions and comments at 287-6783 or william.c.mcpeck@maine.gov.

A new standard in town

Chamber board votes to support Michaud bill

Rep. Mike Michaud’s office approached the Mid-Maine Chamber and asked for the Board to support H.R. 2545, The IRS Rulemaking Fairness Act of 2011, which Rep. Michaud introduced on July 14, 2011.

The bill is written to compel the IRS to comply with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA), and complete a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis in the rule making process. Although Con-gress makes tax law, the IRS also has sig-nificant rule making authority. Rep. Michaud’s office indicates that the Small Business owners in Maine have indicated that the IRS rule making process and regu-latory enforcement policies are burden-some.

The IRS has argued it does not need to comply with the RFA. However, this legis-lation will compel the IRS to do so. Fol-lowing this legislation, the IRS will have to certify that the proposed rule will NOT have an impact on small business OR they must convene advocacy review panels be-fore publishing a regulatory flexibility analysis for a proposed rule.

Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce's board of directors voted in favor of sup-porting Congressman Michaud's bill at it's board meeting on Aug. 26.

For more information on this bill, please contact Congressman Michaud's office or discuss it with his representative at our next Meet the Reps in the Chamber boardroom from 5:30 -7 p.m. on Oct. 5.

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Upcoming Events

Oct. 4 Tues. 8:00 a.m.. Bus. Attraction& Retention Jo

Chamber Boardroom Oct. 14 Fri. 7:30 a.m. Public Policy Chamber Boardroom

Oct. 20 Thurs. 7:30 a.m. Executive Board Chamber Boardroom

Oct. 26 Wed. 8:00 a.m. Membership Chamber Boardroom

28 Oct. 28 Fri. 7:30 a.m. Board of Directors Amici’s Cucina

Forgivable loans for Downtown By Tammy L. Rabideau, MLS

The City of Waterville has established a Downtown Forgivable Loan Program to pro-vide financial assistance to business and property owners interested in creating new businesses or significantly expanding exist-ing businesses within the established Down-town District,.

The district is bounded by Union Street on the north, Elm Street on the west, Spring Street (including the Hathaway Creative Center) on the south, and the Kennebec River on the east.

Through this program, business and prop-erty owners are eligible to apply for loans ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 to fund physical improvements, including façade work and interior renovations, equipment, and other fixed assets. Priority is given to projects that fill first floor vacancies and align with the target business uses identified through consumer, employee, and business surveys conducted by Waterville Main Street.

Eligible uses for funding include exterior improvements (signage, storefront improve-ments, lighting) and business related ex-penses (equipment purchases, interior im-provements). While structured much like a

traditional loan, these loans are forgivable, meaning that borrowers make interest only payments and – provided that they meet the obligations established in their application regarding job creation and filling of vacant space – the principal of the loan is forgiven over time.

Funding for the Downtown Forgivable Loan Program comes from the City of Water-ville’s Downtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Fund. The administration of the Down-town Forgivable Loan Program is carried out by Waterville Main Street (WMSt) and the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG). The administration and operation of the Program will conform to all federal, state and local codes. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, but funding is limited and the process will be competitive.

For more information contact Shannon Haines at Waterville Main Street at 680-2055.

Tammy Rabideau is Business & Career Center Coordinator at the Waterville Public Library. FMI: 207.680.2611 or busi-ness@watervillelibrary.org, http://www.watervillelibrary.org/departments/

Oct. 5: Meet the Reps 5:30-7 p.m. Chamber Boardroom

Mid-Maine Chamber’s and KV Con-nect’s popular Meet the Reps program returns this fall, with the first event scheduled Oct. 5. The evening affairs are designed to promote and prolong communication be-tween business leaders, professionals and young profes-sionals with their local, state and national government officials. Complimentary hors d' oeuvres, beer & wine are provided thanks to our sponsor, Eagle Rental. Other dates are Nov. 30 and Jan. 25, 2012.

2011 Business Breakfast Series 7:30-9 a.m., Thomas College Oct. 12: Legislative Leadership Panel

125th Maine Legislature: Progress & Opportunity: Join Senate President Kevin Raye, Senate Minority.Leader Barry Hobbins, Speaker of the House Bob Nutting and House Minority Leader Emily Cain as they recap accom-plishments and disappointments of the first half of the 125th legislative session as well as inform us of what to expect in this second half of the session.

•Legislative panel

Oct 19: Business After Hours 5:30-7 p.m. Care & Comfort – Hos-pice Volunteers of the Waterville Area, 180 Main St., Waterville.

Continued from Page 1 Senate President Kevin Raye, of Perry, is

the 114th President of the Maine Senate, having been unanimously elected to the post by his peers. Senator Raye represents Sen-ate District 29. Senate Minority Leader Barry Hobbins was chosen by his col-leagues to serve as Senate Democratic Leader in the Maine Senate. Additionally, he co-chairs the Right to Know Advisory Committee and the Commission to Study Energy Infrastructure and is a member of the Governor’s Ocean Energy Task Force

Speaker of the House Bob Nutting is serv-

ing his sixth term in the Maine House of Representatives, returning in 2008 after a two-year absence. He represents District 78, which includes Sidney and part of Oakland.

House Minority Leader, Emily Cain was elected to the Maine House of Representa-tives in 2004 and was elected to be the De-mocratic House Caucus leader for the up-coming 125th Legislature.

Avanced registration $14, $16 for Cham-ber members at the door and $20 for general admission. Contact the Mid-Maine Cham-ber of Commerce at 873-3315 or prog.asst@midmainechamber.com

Page 7

Connie Coggins, HealthReach president/CEO, has announced that physician, Amanda Ruxton, DO will be joining Lovejoy Health Center in September. Dr. Ruxton recently completed a Family Practice Residency at New Hanover Re-gional Medical Center in North Carolina. Erin Hill recently joined Macdonald Page & Co LLC as a staff accountant at its Augusta of-fice. Erin earned her bachelor's degree in ac-counting and Masters in Business Administration from Thomas College in 2010 and has practiced in public accounting since then, as a tax intern and staff auditor. Lauren Duplin recently joined Macdonald Page & Co LLC as an A&A Staff Accountant in our South Portland office. Lauren earned her bachelor's degree in accounting with a minor in French from University of Maine earlier this year and volunteers with the George J. Mitchell Schol-arship Research Institute.

Kennebec Valley Community College student Sheena Farmer has been selected to travel to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Hunts-ville, Ala., to take part in an exercise to develop a prototype vehicle to roam Mars. Ms. Farmer will participate in the three-day experience through the National Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) program. Sheena lives in De-troit and is the wife of an active duty U.S. sol-dier. Suzanne Uhl-Melanson, CFP®, AAMS, CLTC,

AIF®, owner of Uhl-Melanson Investor Ser-vices, LLC, a Wealth Management & Financial Consulting firm, attended Commonwealth Finan-cial Network’s® annual Road Show conference in Portsmouth, N.H. The one-day event is part of a 12-city, coast-to-coast series that offers a key look at Commonwealth and its services.

Kennebec Behavioral Health has announced the composition of its community-based Boards of Directors for fiscal year 2011-2012. They are as follows: KMHA Board: William I. Branch of Vassalboro; Ronald A. Ducharme of Winslow; President/Secretary: Elaine E. Fuller of Manchester; Vice President/Treasurer: Samuel N. Goddard of China Village; Frederic J. Olsen of Albion; Carol A. Welch of Waterville; Rosalie Williams of Pittsfield. KMHA Foundation Board: Vice President/Treasurer: Leon A. Duff of Vassalboro; Rev. Dr. Alice Anderman of Waterville; President/Secretary: Sheryl A. Milliard of Sidney ; Lucille D. Zelenkewich of Winslow. KBH Programs and Services Board: Marilyn E. Canavan of Waterville; Patsy Garside Crockett of Augusta; Rep. Patrick S. A. Flood of Winthrop; President/Secretary: Samuel N. Goddard of China Village; Carol A. Norcross of Augusta; Vice President/Treasurer: Terri T. Watson of Manchester. KMHA Real Estate Board: James E. Coffin of Farmingdale; President/Secretary: Sally E. Dyer of Canaan; Vice President/Treasurer: Clifford A. Manchester of Waterville; Robert J. Ringer Jr. of Waterville; Norman St. Hilaire of Farmingdale.

Gov. LePage to host workshops for businesses

Gov. Paul LePage will host workshops across

the state on Job Creation for businesses. The governor wants to hear from business leaders about what Maine does well for business, and what Maine needs to do better.

The Governor’s Workshops on Job Creation will be held: • October 19 – South Portland,

Southern Maine Community College 12:30 – 5 p.m.

• October 26 – Bangor Husson University 12:30 – 5 p.m.

•November 17 – Lewiston/Auburn Central Maine Community College 12:30 – 5 p.m In addition, the governor will have represen-

tatives from numerous Maine state agencies available to talk about what help you need in Augusta to aid in job creation.

LePage believes Maine people deserve pros-perity, but looks for your help. Join the governor at one of these workshops and tell him what road-blocks business faces as a job creator.

For more information, contact Lauren LePage at 287-3538 or e-mail Lau-ren.LePage@Maine.Gov . A registration form can be downloaded at www.midmainechamber.com/BusinessForumRegistration.pdf.

Continued from Page 8

priorities and growing businesses and jobs through projects like Hathaway Creative Center, First Park, Head of Falls, Fairfield-Waterville Industrial Road Connector and positioning Robert A. LaFleur Municipal Airport to become a vital piece to the region’s economic growth.

Other collaborations are also being strength-ened with Colby College, Thomas College, KVCC, and area high schools to provide educa-tional options for the area’s workforce. He is also

enhancing partnerships with the Mid-Maine Chamber, KVCOG, Waterville Development Corp, First Park, Workforce Investment Board, the Kennebec Entrepreneurial Network, and oth-ers to do integrated marketing.

Sterling also believes there is great potential to establish successful community energy districts which can provide Mid-Maine a competitive ad-vantage in lower cost power for businesses and residents.

He added that the region could be developed as a center for agriculture to complement the

Goodwill-Hinckley project for regional food sus-tainability and security. Ultimately, Mid-Maine could achieve “economic thrive-ability” as it de-velops more markets for local growers and value-added food processing, he added.

On a larger scale, Sterling said CMGC goals include securing two new or expanding compa-nies in the area adding 50–100 jobs in six months. After that, the goal will be to recruit several more companies adding 1,000 jobs by 2014.

Darryl Sterling can be reached at 680-7300 (Fax: 877-0087) or dsterling@centralmaine.org

CMGC

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COMMUNITY PEOPLE YOU KNOW

Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC) was without an executive director for several months, but that changed in July when Darryl Sterling came on board and set up a new office here at 50 Elm St.

And in the two and a half months that have followed, CMGC’s energy level has definitely been kicked up a notch.

Sterling has already taken steps to position CMGC as the catalyst for the region’s economic success with a re-energized board of directors.

After relocating the office to the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, came the launch of a new organizational tagline, “Growing A Strong Re-gional Economy,” which is displayed on CMGC’s new signage and marketing materials.

The organization has now begun work on its immediate goal of developing a strategic plan with

action steps which will be completed by January, 2012.

Over the last two months, Sterling has met with several area businesses and business leaders, developers and financiers, academic institutions, non-profit agencies and local, regional, state, and federal officials to inventory the area’s economic assets and growth potential.

“As I became more familiar with my surround-ings, I began looking at Central Maine with a ‘fresh eyes’ approach,” Sterling said. “I discovered

the area has a wow factor,” he said. “Waterville/Oakland/Winslow/Fairfield or WOWF.”

The area has an outstanding quality of life with its culture, education, recreation, business, and community offerings – and it’s economically per-colating with new and expanding companies, jobs, training, and tremendous investment opportunities, he explained.

“As I look at innovative ways to market the area, I noticed that square foot for square foot, there appears to be more commercial/industrial companies in WOWF than in any other area of the state,” he said.

Sterling has been looking into development

CMGC: ‘Growing a Strong Regional Economy’

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