Small business is the essence of the American economy. From young entrepreneurs opening small construction companies to family bakeries that have been on Main Streets across America for generations, the impact of small businesses on the American economy is astronomical. With two-thirds of the country's net jobs produced by small businesses and 43.5 percent of the country's GDP comprised of small business goods and services, it is inspiring to see entrepreneurship as the backbone of the USA economy. Moreover, small businesses help perpetuate the American dream that all who live in the United States can achieve financial self-sufficiency.

Historically, the phrase "American Dream" represents the simple idealism known as the great American experiment. It promises that you can attain your goals with hard work, commitment, and vision regardless of your race, gender, sexuality, or born situation in life.

When James Truslow Adams coined the term, he saw the phrase as many of us see it in our dreams; a call to our collective American community character. From purchasing local produce, ordering from small Etsy shops, and dining at local restaurants, we as Americans are responsible for protecting and perpetuating our own neighbor's dream. We have seen this occur among the local community by way of shopping small during the height of the pandemic and attending community charity and fundraising events.

When civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963, he saw the same dream we all have. By being American, we have a promised opportunity for unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Rights that are, in their simplest form, the American dream. With that said, I implore you to shop small this week as May 2-5 is National Small Business Week! If you are not sure where to start or what stores, restaurants, and activities to support, take a look at our KV Chamber Member List. Remember, Small Business Week is a celebration of the impact that a single person's dream can have on the broader economy, so purchase mindfully and consider the implications of a single dollar and its weight not as currency, but as a small fulfillment of a person's dreams.

Only ONE Can Be The Hero!

Please email IRA@kennebecvalleychamber.com to pre-register your team.

Maine State Credit Union is excited to host this month's Business After Hours on Wednesday, May 25^th from 5:00-7:00 pm. Maine State Credit Union is located at 200 Capitol St, Augusta, ME 04330. Remember that every Business After Hours is an incredible opportunity to network with the business community. You also have a chance to win door prizes and participate in the 50/50 raffle.

Click here to reserve yours today!

The goal of KLI is to assure a continuing flow of able, committed, and resourceful leaders to serve our communities. KLI draws prospective leaders from a broad cross-section of businesses, organizations, and the community. Its purpose is to inspire these promising individuals to work more effectively within their spheres of influence while expanding their civic and community participation.

To apply, download an application here or complete the online application by clicking the button below.

S.J. Wood Construction Company

The University of Maine at Augusta

College Carry-Out, Lake & Denison, LLC, Macomber Transportation & Warehousing, Oakes & Parkhurst Glass, The Boulos Company, Transco Business Technologies

Riverview Psychiatric Center, The Foster Agency, The Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers, United Insurance, Value Housing

Damon's Beverage Mart – Augusta, Fortin & MacDonald Group, Snow Pond Technology Group Inc., Statewide Towing, Inc., William Raveis Real Estate,

All Seasons Yard Care, Dave's Diner, Empowhers, Everett Realty Group, Gowells Shop N Save Inc., Lakehome Group, Pickle's Potions, Puppy Pause Training, Rene Roy Photography Inc., Summit Real Estate

Pliable Marketing, PR & Broadcasting announced that Kaylyn Bourque, a sophomore at Lawrence High School is the first athlete in the country to launch her athlete brand with the Maine-based marketing agency. Pliable offers a wide range of marketing services and specializes in athlete branding. The company's work supports high school, college, and professional athletes who want to build their brands. Bourque unveiled her athlete brand, logo, and website at KaylynBourque.com. Bourque completed Pliable's 10-Step Athlete Branding Playbook to launch her brand. Learn more at PliableMarketing.com.

Many books have been written about the valiant role of Maine’s soldiers in the Civil War. In “Maine Voices from the Civil War,” author and curator Laurie LaBar examines the war from several perspectives, using the writings of Maine soldiers and civilians, as well as the objects they left behind. She discusses the aspects of a soldier’s life and the possibilities that awaited them: camp, battle, prison, hospital, and with luck, safe return home. She also touches on the home front, the challenges that soldiers’ family members faced, and the ways that the war came home to Maine.

KHS speaker, Laurie LaBar, is the Chief Curator of History and Decorative Arts at the Maine State Museum. A former archaeologist, Laurie received her master’s degree from the University of Delaware’s Winterthur Program in Early American Culture and returned to Maine to become a curator. In addition to writing Maine Voices of the Civil War, LaBar also wrote Maine Quilts: 250 Years of Comfort and Community, which is co-published by the Maine State Museum and Down East Books. Her August 2021 presentation for the Kennebec Historical Society about Maine quilts can still be viewed on the society’s Facebook page.

The Kennebec Historical Society's May Presentation is free to the public (donations gladly accepted) and will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at the Maine State Library's temporary location, 242 State Street in Augusta. This is the former location for the Department of Motor Vehicles & the Public Utilities Commission. If you have any questions about the program, please call Scott Wood, executive director, at 622-7718.

Snow Pond is thrilled to announce their '22 Summer Concert Series!

To be held in The Bowl in the Pines! Get your tickets today! 

This program for adults is designed by Maine SNAP-ED to support healthy eating on a budget for all Mainers. There are two 4-week sessions: "Choose MY Plate" and "Eating Better on a Budget."

Please register by calling 626-2415 and ask for the Adult Reference Desk.

Fort Western will reopen for tours on Saturday, May 28th, for its 2022 Tour Season. Besides regular tours, Fort Western has planned a series of special events that highlight the timeline of the Fort in celebration of this 100th anniversary of the Fort Western Museum.

Scheduled Events are as follows

• May 15, 2022, Martha Ballard’s World – Wife, Mother, Healer, Botanist

• May 28, 2022, The Pilgrims at Cushnoc Trading Post Reconstruction Fundraiser

• June 11, 2022, Four Forts, One Story Archaeological Tour

• July 4, 2022, The Forth at the Fort Declaration of Independence and Cannonade

• August 20, 2022, The S & W Howard Store & Tavern, 18th Century Artisan Demonstrations

and Tavern Night Fundraiser.

The U.S. Army Augusta Recruiting Station has moved to a new location!

The Army is offering its largest bonus ever for new recruits with up to $50,000 available to qualified individuals.  The total incentive package for a new recruit is based on a combination of incentives offered for the selected career field, individual qualifications, length of the enlistment contract, and the ship date for training. Stop in to the new Augusta Recruiting Station located at 19 Stephen King Drive, Suite 3 in Augusta to speak with a Recruiter to learn more. 

To submit Member News, send your press releases to: info@kennebecvalleychamber.com

Camden National Bank

Sprague & Curtis Real Estate

G&E Roofing Co., Inc.

Team EJP

Central Maine Power Company

MaineGeneral Health

Ganneston Construction Corp.

MIKA

Macomber, Farr & Whitten

Kennebec Savings Bank

Cloutier Carrillo, Capitol Law, PLLC

Cross Employee Benefits

Central Maine Pyrotechnics

Katie L. Doherty, President & CEO

Lindsay L. Corbett, Chief Operating Officer

Melissa L. Walden, Membership & Development Manager

Iris R. Alexander, Marketing & Events Manager