July 2019 Edition
Innovation
Sponsored by People's United Bank
5 Qs with Nick Rimsa
Co-Creator at Eariously
1. You are currently working on several software projects, but you started your career trading stocks. How and why did you transition? 
[Nick Rimsa]: I saw firsthand how software was so meaningfully affecting financial services, so I left my job after a year to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. When I returned, I realized I had always loved making things. (Our mom has always been an entrepreneurial crafter and maker.) I found software to be an ideal medium to affect change and solve problems.

2. Tell us a bit about your current software design-related projects.
[NR]: Eariously turns digital text (like websites, emails, articles, PDFs, images) into audio for you to listen to on your phone or laptop. While we’re bootstrapping Eariously, we formed a new Maine-based business called Move Slow and Learn Things to build software and websites for folks and businesses around Maine. My teammates and I also work closely with a number of student entrepreneurs from the area in concert with RJ Anzelc at Bricks Coworking .

3. There's an education component to a lot of your work. How would you describe your teaching style, and how is it informed by your entrepreneurship?
[NR]: The best creators I know are constantly experimenting. So, while I think learning theoretically has a place foundationally, application-based learning is essential. Learning, too, should be accessible and enjoyable. To me, this means stripping the codes, customs, and traditions that so often accompany academia. Most importantly, students and instructors are equals.

4. What are a few entrepreneurship resources, local to Waterville or Maine, that have been indispensable to you?
[NR]: SCORE Portland for their free mentorship program. The Waterville Public Library for their inter-library loan system. Bricks Coworking , where our team works with some awesome humans. The Mid-Maine Chamber and the Central Maine Growth Council for all of their invaluable networking help. The Startup Maine team for creating the best tech conference I’ve ever been to. Also, Lisa Noble [ Colby College ] and Mike Duguay [ Thomas College ] for all of their guidance.

5. If our subscribers wanted to sign up for Eariously (to listen to CMGC Intelligence!), how would they do so?
[NR]: Our team is currently testing Eariously with a few hundred folks, and we’d love for you to signup to start listening to things later this year when we release our software to the public.
Small Business K now-How
" Of the five industry sectors that ITRC tracks, the business category topped the list for the third year in a row with 55 percent of the total number of breaches , while the medical/healthcare industry followed in second place with 23.7 percent. Yet most businesses don’t carry cyber insurance."

Read on for Peoples' industry insight on the 3 myths about cyber insurance.
Business Investment
Welcome Meridians Kitchen & Bar to Fairfield
The new farm-to-table restaurant was borne of the Meridians specialty retail shop, which emphasizes artisanal food, wine, and beer. The restaurant will bring to downtown Fairfield "all the goodness that comes with a community watering hole and conscious cuisine."
Welcome United Rentals as a CMGC investor
The worlds's largest equipment rental company, United Rentals , has a local presence in Oakland, ME. The firm deploys over $14.1 billion of fleet for customers in construction, industrial manufacturing, utilities, and the public sector.
Top Stories of June 2019
Downtown Lockwood Mill Buildings Purchased by North River Company for Redevelopment - the purchase comes on the heels of North River Company's acquisition of the successful Hathaway Creative Center, which has been an important anchor for downtown Waterville's revitalization.

Information Technology Firm Maine Technology Group Expands, Relocates to Oakland, ME - the award-winning provider of managed IT, cyber security, and business solutions has expanded to 835 Kennedy Memorial Drive in Oakland.

Meridians Kitchen & Bar Opens in Fairfield, Expanding from Grocery Shop - the restaurant represents an expansion from the owners' specialty grocer retail business in the former Gerald Hotel in downtown Fairfield, and will maintain an emphasis on local, artisanal ingredients.

Waterville Planners Give Final Approval to Colby's Lockwood Hotel - Landry/French Construction will begin work on the $26 million, 53-room Main Street hotel this month. The 47,692 square foot boutique hotel, which will also offer a restaurant, represents the return of hotel accommodations to 9 Main Street, where the Crescent Hotel once stood.
*Note: lots are not contiguous; this map is for geographic context only.
Central Maine Real Estate Spotlight
Featured Commercial Property Location : Evergreen Drive, Fairfield, ME
Context:
  • Convenient access to I-95
  • Excellent visibility from I-95
  • Proximity to Rte. 139 (Western Ave)

Lots for Sale:
Contact : Don Plourde | 207-660-4000 | dplourde@cbplourde.com
Workforce Investment
Employer Spotlight: You
CMGC and Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) invite you to tap into the KVCC student talent pool via a variety of engagement opportunities, including classroom visits, internships, and job referrals.

This partnership makes it easier than ever to engage with KVCC students in the courses relevant to you.
Connecting with KVCC students will build exposure for your organization, help recruit for open positions, enrich students' educational experiences, and build a qualified local workforce .

You can learn more about each engagement opportunity here ; the variety is designed to fit your needs and schedule. Don't miss this free opportunity to connect with a talented pool of candidates - take this survey to indicate your interest in learning more .
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!
Customized Training for Business Steps:

  • Consultation

  • Training design
  • Identify workforce development grants
Workforce Training & Professional Development: Retention and Up-skilling
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. Investing in your employees improves their performance , strengthens their skills, and reduces turnover .

KVCC is currently working with Dragon Products, Backyard Farms, CedarWorks and Cianbro Corporation , to name a few, to train existing staff in topics ranging from leadership and supervisory training to hands-on technical training programs. 

KVCC can also help your company to recruit and train new talent. We offer creative scheduling and a broad range of expertise to grow your workforce. 
 
To learn more about how KVCC can assist with affordable training opportunities customized for your business, call 207.453.5858 or visit our website .
Quality of Place
Sponsored by MaineGeneral Health
Nature Trails in Central Maine
Enjoy the summer weather while wandering along wooded, waterside trails throughout Fairfield, Oakland, Waterville, and Winslow.

A recipient of the 2009 Land User of the Year award, the KM trails provide walkers, runners, and bicyclists an opportunity to experience over 40 miles of Waterville, Winslow, Fairfield, Oakland, and Benton. Popular trail heads include Colby and Thomas College campuses and Fort Halifax Park.


The family-friendly Inland Woods Trails, located in the 17-acre woods behind Northern Light Inland Hospital, are approximately 1 mile in length. These trails provide a convenient link to the Pine Ridge Trail system, offering several miles of trails for mountain biking, walking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.


Located on an island in the Kennebec River along the banks of downtown Fairfield, Mill Island Park is a day-use space perfect for small picnics or large gatherings. The park boasts pedestrian trail systems and open green spaces, public benches and picnic area, a playground, and plenty of scenic river views. 


Quarry Road is a year-round outdoor recreation destination for people of all ages and abilities. Located just 2 miles from downtown Waterville, Quarry Road’s trails and open spaces provide outstanding opportunities for biking, walking, running, and paddling.


Located in the town of Oakland, this 40 acre parcel features a mixture of hardwoods and softwoods, overgrown fields, a babbling spring brook, and over 1,100 feet of frontage on McGrath Pond. A 4,000 foot trail system provides non-motorized access throughout the property, including an undisturbed stand of mature hemlock at the water’s edge.
MaineGeneral Sports Medicine staff.
Health Tip: Healthy Summer for Our Kids
By MaineGeneral Health
If your kids have played sports in school within the past 30 years, you’ve probably already gotten to know the athletic trainers working with your athletes. Many of them are MaineGeneral Sports Medicine staff .

Did you know the same trainers cover many summer camps in our area? The MaineGeneral Sports Medicine team is here to help kids play safe.

To learn more about these special trainers and common sports injuries, click here .
Stay connected with CMGC:
If you are an investor in CMGC and would like to submit content to CMGC Intelligence , simply reply to this e-mail to speak with Elaine Theriault-Currier.
Board of Directors:

Chris Gaunce, chair – Central Maine Motors Auto Group
Michael Heavener, vice chair – Town of Winslow
Beth Gibbs, treasurer – Thomas College
Lucille Zelenkewich, secretary – Peoples United Bank
John Dalton, past chair – Northern Light Health - Inland Hospital
Elizabeth Fortin – Kennebec Valley Community College
Paul Stein – MaineGeneral Health
Darlene Ratte – Best Western Plus
Michael Roy – City of Waterville
Gary Bowman – Town of Oakland
Michelle Flewelling – Town of Fairfield
Brian Clark – Colby College
Michael Runser – Valley Beverage
Allan Rancourt – Kennebec Federal Savings
Lisa Hallee – Bill & Joan Alfond Foundation
Donald Plourde – Coldwell Banker Plourde Real Estate
Tom Meucci - Huhtamaki

 Ex-Officio Board Members:
Laura Cyr – Kennebec Valley Council of Governments
Christian Savage - Somerset Economic Development Corporation
James Dinkle – Kennebec Regional Dev. Authority / FirstPark