CMGC Intelligence: 5 min read on innovation, investment, and inspiration in central Maine

February 2019 Edition

Innovation

5 Qs with RJ Anzelc

Founder of Bricks Coworking & Innovation Space

Meet RJ at Central Maine Tech Night on Feb. 21 @ 5:00p.

1.How did your background as a software engineer help you to found your startup, Bricks Coworking & Innovation Space?

RJ: Being a remote software developer, I was well aware of the requirements I’d need in order to use a shared office space, as well as the associated gripes of working from home or a coffee shop. I knew I’d need reliable high-speed internet, a secure space for my belongings, areas to take private calls when necessary, and the technical infrastructure for my day-to-day; printer, scanner, audio-visual equipment, etc. I also understood the benefit of social interaction during your day that remote workers miss out on. These were all items I desired in a workspace, and were the basis for me opening Bricks.

2.Who were your entrepreneurial influences and resources to support and guide you through the startup process?

Growing up in an entrepreneurial household (my father owned his own software company for more than 30 years), I understood the work it takes to start and run your own business. He is a tremendous resource to bounce ideas off of, understand pitfalls in certain circumstances, and overall plan the business. Additionally, CMGC provided tremendous support, helping me evaluate various potential locations, build out my business plan, establish target markets, and overall acting as an unbiased sounding board as I started Bricks. I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention my wife, Tyne. Her daily support, assistance at every junction, and tremendous design sense helped shape what Bricks has become.

3.What workplace trends have contributed to the rise of shared workspace?

Year over year, the amount of telecommuting employees in the US has increased. Advanced technology and increased access to high-speed internet has enabled people to essentially work from anywhere. At the same time, we’ve entered massive growth in the ‘gig economy’, with projections that nearly 40% of the workforce will work as independent contractors by 2020. These trends create a great amount of flexibility in when and where one can work, and shared workspaces are a great option for them. In general, shared workspaces are no or low commitment and provide desired infrastructure. Outside of these individual contractors, it’s a cost-effective, low-risk way for businesses to quickly enter a new market.

4.Why did you choose Waterville to locate your startup?

On a personal level, I’ve spent nearly my whole life in Central Maine and currently reside in Belgrade, so I knew I wanted it somewhat nearby. Professionally, Waterville made a tremendous amount of sense with its current renaissance. Institutions, private companies, non-profits, and individuals all contributing to the community at a high-level, I saw it as an opportunity to add Bricks to the mix and act as a not only as a landing spot for many professionals, but also as a catalyst for growth alongside all of the other contributors. In addition, I wanted Bricks to be more than a desk that you rent, I wanted it to be a lifestyle choice. With all of the terrific restaurants and activities going on in Waterville on a weekly basis, it seemed like the perfect fit.

5.As CMGC’s Emerging Leader of 2018, can you give us a glimpse into your plans for 2019?

2018 was a good start for Bricks, however in 2019 we hope to show a tremendous amount of growth, both in terms of membership and community involvement. In addition to the monthly Central Maine Tech Night hosted at Bricks, we’ve recently added two monthly groups: Central Maine Volunteer Coordinators and Central Maine Programmers Group. Our upcoming Programmers Group meeting (Tue., Feb 19 ^th @ 5:30PM) will feature Rich Majerus of Colby College on the strengths of using R (a programming language) for exploratory data analysis.

Join us for a night of collaboration & innovation

Thursday, February 21

5:00PM-6:30PM

Bricks CoWorking & Innovation Space

10 Water St., Waterville

Refreshments served

For more information,visit Facebook or the CMTN webpage .

This free event is sponsored by:

Business Investment

Sponsored by Coldwell Banker Plourde Real Estate

Welcome Jacobs Restoration , Kavestone LLC , and Wunderlich-Malec as CMGC investors

Jacobs Glass & Restoration , based in Winslow, specializes in historic window restoration and also performs masonry, storefront and wood restoration.

Kavestone LLC of Waterville is a commercial and residential general contractor producing frame-to-finish new construction or remodels.

Wunderlich-Malec is one of the country's largest and most experienced engineering firms, and their Winslow panel fabrication facility specializes in control house and skid manufacturing.

Top Stories of January 2019

How a Waterville Truck Body Builder Became Maine's Third Fastest Growing Company - a great example of the success precision manufacturing finds in central Maine, and a testament to the strong site suitability of Trafton Road Properties.

Applications Open for Downtown Waterville's Facade & Building Improvement Grant Program - the grant program, managed by CMGC, assists business and property owners in the restoration and renovation of commercial buildings.

City of Waterville Issues RFQ for Riverfront Gateway Project at Head of Falls - the deadline for the project, which is intended to symbolize the economic, cultural, and historic nature of Head of Falls and Waterville's downtown, is Feb. 28, 2019.

Welcome BDS and Opa to central Maine

BDS, Fairfield

The waste disposal company specializes in scrap tire collection, transportation, storage, and recycling for customers throughout New England. BDS will begin construction on its new Fairifeld facility.

Opa, 139 Main Street, Waterville

Located in downtown Waterville, Opa offers a blend of traditional Greek cuisine and Mediterranean dishes as well as American fusion cuisine.

See full context map

Listing 1 | Listing 2 | Listing 3 | Listing 4 Listing 5 | Listing 6

Central Maine Real Estate Spotlight

By Coldwell Banker Plourde Real Estate

Featured Commercial Property Location : Waterville Airport Industrial Business Park

Lot size: ranges from 2 - 25 acres

Infrastructure:

All lots enjoy public water and sewer
Most lots have fiber optics and three-phase power
Significant permitting completed

Context:

Easy access to I-95 via Kennedy Memorial Drive
Possible visibility from I-95
Adjacent to municipal airport

Contact : Don Plourde| 207-660-4000| dplourde@cbplourde.com

Workforce Investment

Sponsored by Kennebec Valley Community College

Employer Spotlight: Hammond Tractor

While Maine's labor shortage presents challenges for business growth, it also provides the opportunity for creativity within employee attraction and retention.

Hammond Tractor discovered a new talent pool among high school students, and during the summer of 2018, rolled out a tuition incentive program to attract young technicians and retain them as they become more experienced.

By offering 35-50% tuition reimbursement for technical education at several qualifying institutions, Hammond Tractor retains qualified, experienced technicians for at least two years post-graduation.

Dave Ponsant at Central Maine Career Expo. Photo by David Leaming, Morning Sentinel

"One of the most enjoyable parts of this new program is networking with high school students and teachers. Many times, kids without agriculture backgrounds don’t think about us – now, I’m getting to know students and they’ll remember me when they’re ready to go to school," explains Dave Ponsant, Product Support Manager at Hammond Tractor. "It’s the same with teachers. I have a teacher bringing his whole class to the store – he’s never thought about us before, but now he’ll keep us in mind and refer his students to us."

We hope you enjoy learning about local talent recruitment and retention strategies, and if your business has an innovative strategy or unique culture, please share with us!

February Recruitment Events

February 7 - Woodlands Senior Living Job Fair

10a - 6p | 141 West River Road, Waterville

February 25 - Augusta CareerCenter Hiring Event

2p - 4p | 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

About Workforce Training & Professional Development at KVCC

Provides non-credit and customized training programs to individuals, businesses and organizations in the Kennebec, Somerset and Knox counties

Designs customized business training programs to train new hires or upskill incumbent workers

Offers flexible scheduling and on- or off-site locations

Workforce Training & Professional Development

By Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC)

Training existing employees in new skills allows employers to retain great talent already familiar with their business culture while providing new and challenging opportunities to employees.

Currently, KVCC is working with Backyard Farms in Madison on a second round of trainings under the Backyard Farms University, a training program they have instituted for their incumbent workforce. KVCC has provided OSHA 10 and First Aid CPR AED; in addition, KVCC developed and delivered courses in business writing, principles of management, conversational Spanish, MS Excel and MS Word with science-based courses slated for delivery in Spring 2019.

To learn more about how KVCC can assist with your training needs, call 207.453.5858 or visit our website.

Visit Workforce Training & Professional Development Website

Quality of Place