September 24, 2025 Vol. 38

Just a reminder:

As of October 1, I, Patricia Cloutier will officially be retired as executive chamber manager of the Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity that has given me so much joy! I'm sure I will see you around and you can always reach me at 207-542-0086 or pcloutier1946@gmail.com and at home 79 Bath Road, Wiscasset. Come for a chat on my porch while the weather is lovely!

Pat



To contact the chamber, please call 207-882-9600 or email info@wiscassetchamber.com

The Wiscasset Area Chamber September Business After Hours

at the Wiscasset Yacht Club with co-host the Wiscasset Parks & Rec was a rousing success! Terrific attendance, perfect evening for networking and chit-chat, wonderful nibbles and Tracey's special adult beverage. See the pics HERE.(compliments tof our extraordinary photographer, Bob Bond!)

October Business After Hours

at the Lincoln County Dental- Thursday, October 9, 4:30-6:30pm

November Business After Hours

at Costigan Forest Antiques

 Garden Club of Wiscasset

        Invites You to Join us for

  “Invasive Plants of Midcoast Maine “

             Presented by

Louisa Crane, Program Development Specialist 

    For the Knox- Lincoln Soil and Water       

           Conservation District 

6:00 P.M. the Evening of October 2, 2025

         Meeting in Fellowship Hall 

         First Congregational Church 

              28 High Street 

           Wiscasset, Maine 

        Public Invited Free of Charge 

Solar incentives at the state and federal level are changing for Maine businesses this year, while utility electric rates are surging due to the volatility of natural gas and storm-related expenses. How will this convergence impact a company's expected return on a solar investment? Please join us at ReVision Energy's decarbonization facility in South Portland for an exploration of Maine's dynamic energy landscape, and a discussion about the cost-effectiveness of solar to mitigate the rising price of grid electricity. ReVision co-founder Phil Coupe and Commercial Sales Lead Andrew Kahrl will present an overview of the state of commercial solar and lead a discussion about the options available to companies that want to stabilize/reduce their energy pricing while increasing sustainability, independence and resilience.”

SIGN UP NOW

Sign up Here for contestants,vendors and sponsors.

The First Congregational Church UCC of Wiscasset announces the Blessing of the Animals, Sunday October 5 at 2:00pm.

The blessing of the animals is a religious custom, most often celebrated around the Feast of St. Francis, where pets and other animals are blessed by clergy to ask for good health and express appreciation for creation. This ecumenical tradition is now practiced by various Christian denominations and is a celebration of God's love for all creatures. The ceremony typically involves sprinkling holy water on the animals and reciting prayers that highlight humanity's interdependence with the natural world.

And a special welcome to the Reverend John R. Hogue and family as the church's settled pastor.

The Wiscasset Creative Alliance is excited to announce the return of its Fund for Good grant program, now in its second year. These grants are designed to support projects and initiatives that reflect the Alliance’s mission to connect and strengthen Wiscasset’s cultural, historical, and creative communities.

Applications are now open and must be submitted by October 15, 2025. Recipients will be notified by December 18, 2025, with funds distributed beginning February 15, 2026. Grants are open to organizations, community groups, and individuals. While no maximum award has been set, funding is expected to be modest and tailored to the scope of the proposed project.

To apply, visit the Fund for Good page at www.wiscassetcreativealliance.org or request an application by emailing wiscassetcreativealliance@gmail.com.

Founded in 2019, the Wiscasset Creative Alliance is a legal 501(c)3 charitable organization; gifts to the Alliance or any of its programs-Wiscasset Art Walk, Museum in the Streets, Wiscasset Marketfest, Schoonerfest, Homes on Tour, and Wormfest are tax exempt as allowed by law.

For more information about the Alliance and its programs, visit www.www.wiscassetcreativealliance.org.

Sign Up for the Chamber Member to Member Discount Program today!

Go HERE to find out more about the program and how to sign up.

SEO Series 3: How to Write Website Content That Ranks (and Resonates!)

October 1, 2025 • 11 am • REGISTER

In the final session of the SEO Series, we’ll dive into content writing best practices for SEO. Learn how to write copy that appeals to search engines and real people, and explore how AI tools can support content creation.

Fraud-Proof Your Small Business: What Every Owner Should Know

October 7, 2025 • 11 am • REGISTER

Business Advisor Dan Umphrey and NMDC’s Brandon McDonald discuss spotting top scams, verifying emails/calls/sites, checking exposure, reporting fraud, and strengthening your team’s defenses.

Intro to Employee Ownership and ESOPs

October 15, 2025 • 10 am • REGISTER

A Silver Tsunami of Baby Boomer business owners threatens businesses, jobs, and growth in the coming years. Business Advisor Chris Dodge will discuss exit plans and employee ownership options, including cooperatives and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPS).

Startup Series: Business Planning Tools

October 21, 2025 • 10 am • REGISTER

In this second session of our Startup Series, Business Advisor Vien Dobui will introduce practical tools to help you turn your business idea into a working strategy. You’ll leave with tangible tools and frameworks to help clarify your direction and take the next step with confidence.

Small Business Success Stories: Hard Lessons & Big Wins Panel

October 28, 2025 • 2 pm • REGISTER

Hear from Maine SBDC clients who have weathered the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Panelists will share how they overcame unexpected challenges, what they wish they knew starting out, and the wins that made it all worth it.

Need help? Connect with a business advisor here.

Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce | www.wiscassetchamber.com

(207)882-9600

info@wiscassetchamber.com