Chamber Updates, Member News

& Tips for Business You Can Use

Dear Members,

What a great week we've had- two well-attended networking events this past Wednesday (never a guarantee with August vacations) and a feeling of normalcy as we settle into the new office. Not to mention solid planning for fall chamber projects, and passing the 10% mark in new members for the year with four months to go. This is all a testament to Anthony’s effectiveness, Brittany’s marketing savvy, and my dumb luck of having both of them on our team. 

I wanted to let you all know that we are taking next week off. We looked at splitting up the week, and splitting up duties, with one of us covering the office and the phones for different days, and after all of that, I decided, ‘nope, we’ve earned a week of nothingness- let’s unplug, sleep in, or work on DIY projects, or prepare for our fantasy football drafts, or whatever we need to do to recharge before September begins.’

This is all to say...

You won’t get a newsletter from us next week.

You won’t see any social media posts that aren’t pre-scheduled.

We won’t be returning phone messages.

We won’t be returning e-mails. 

We are shutting it down for one full week. 

Now, if it’s an absolute emergency, and you have our cell phone numbers, I suppose you can text or call, but before you go that far, ask yourself if it is an absolute emergency. If it is, then contact us. But if not, please let it wait until September 4th. 

Thank you for your understanding- we all could use a little break from our very successful year thus far, and taking this break will ensure that we continue our positive growth for the remainder of the year. 

The BBRC office will be closed on Friday, August 23^rd at 3PM, and we will be returning September 3rd, after Labor Day weekend. We will return messages on Tuesday, so we ask that new inquiries wait until Wednesday, September 4th. 

Cheers, and enjoy the last week of summer. I know we will.

Cory

Upcoming Chamber Events

This week's CAH included BBRC member Amber Pruit winning the coveted MCHPP apron! Many thanks to The Brunswick Hotel, Noble, and MCHPP for hosting such a great evening!

August 12 @ 12

The Highlands

30 Governor's Way, Topsham

Wednesday, September 18th

12:00pm - 1:30pm

What's better than (free!) lunch with 11 other local professionals and five minutes to discuss your business with all of them? It's truly one of the best programs we run!

The September 12@12 Networking Lunch will be held at the The Highlands on Wednesday, August 21st at noon.Pre-registration is required, email Anthony to grab your spot!

News & Notes

August 23, 2024

Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival

August 29th - September 1st

Thomas Point Beach, Brunswick

The 2024 Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival is a second-generation Bluegrass Festival, and 2024 marks 45 Years of Bringing Bluegrass Music and Family to the shores of Mid-Coast Maine. The festival is a 4-Day event, starting August 29th. It features world-renowned acts and legendary late-night picking. It truly is a can't-miss event, where the Music Meets the Sea!

Downtown Bath will step through the portal into the funkiest place on earth with the Funkateers from Motor Booty Affair! A street party like none other, joined by food trucks and a beer garden, we will dance and singalong deep into the night.

Motor Booty Affair has been lighting up stages across America with their 70’s extravaganza for several years, continually improving on the show that has been dubbed “The Ultimate Disco Party Band”. MBA’s show is energetic and peppered with 70’s lingo jive talkin’ and stage antics to make for an event you will never forget. Make sure you bring your boogie shoes because no matter how big the dance floor is – it’s always packed from the first song to the last!

Proceeds from this event go to the 501c3 non-profit Main Street Bath, whose mission is to promote and preserve historic downtown Bath, Maine.

LCHA's Annual Preservation Party

Pownalborough Court House

23 Court House Rd, Dresden

Saturday, September 8th

4:00pm

Showstopping cakes and memorable experiences to highlight LCHA’s Preservation Party auction 

The marvelous desserts offered up for auction at Lincoln County Historical Association’s (LCHA's) Preservation Party always create a bidding frenzy as guests compete to win the decadent creations. Auctioneer Kaja Vielleux of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries extends the excitement as he presents a menu of additional experiences ranging from international vacations to practical local services. This year’s event will be held Sunday, September 8 at the Pownalborough Court House in Dresden. Tickets are available online at lincolncountyhistory.org until September 2. 

Along with fabulous cakes by LCHA’s best bakers, up for bid will be vacation trips to Belize and Portugal, a catered dinner for eight, a repertory theater package, a fishing trip on Casco Bay, a spa day, car detailing and a book of car wash coupons, and four nights at a local B&B. 

The theme of this year’s Preservation Party is a celebration of our heritage, and LCHA’s Collections Committee will take a few moments to describe their activities in the documentation of historical artifacts for future generations. 

Entrance to Preservation Party is by reservation only. Tickets are available online at www.lincolncountyhistory.org. For more information, call Shannon Gilmore at lchamaine1954@gmail.com or call 207-882-6817.

Ann Light delivers a cake to Christine Hopf-Lovette, high bidder for the confection at last year’s Preservation Party. Photo by Bob Bond

Pints on the Pier

September 14th

4:00 - 7:30pm

Maine Maritime Museum

Pints on the Pier is back! Bring a blanket or lawn chair and join us in the historic Percy & Small Shipyard to sample some of Maine’s best beers, kombuchas, and more! Grab some grub from the on-site food trucks and take in the late summer sunset along the Kennebec River. Plus, live music, cornhole, other lawn games, and more! Ticket fee includes all beer samples and a commemorative glass (while supplies last).

You asked, we listened! 👀 This year, we have more food vendors than ever before, with plenty of gluten-free options: 🍣 Mr. Tuna | 🍟 Black Salt | 🦪 Lady Suckers | 🥨 Plot Twist Pretzels | 🥙 Sail Shed by Long Reach Kitchen & Catering

Sample beverages from these excellent purveyors:

• Bath Ale Works
• Bissell Brothers
• Black Pug Brewing
• Flight Deck Brewing
• Maine Beer Company
• Moderation Brewing
• Olive Pit Brewing
• Root Wild Kombucha
• Sasanoa Brewing
• Sheepscot Valley Brewing
• Three of Strong Spirits Craft Canned Cocktails
• Trinken Brewing Co.

Food provided by:

• Black Salt
• Lady Shuckers
• Mr. Tuna
• Plot Twist Pretzels
• Long Reach Kitchen & Catering

This is a 21+ event.

Tickets: $40 Adult, $15 Excluding Alcohol; Members receive a 20% discount, register or sign in to get your discount today!

2024 NASB Reunion

Only Two Weeks Remaining To Register

Dear Friends of the Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum,

Registration for the 2024 NAS Brunswick Reunion will close at midnight on Sunday, 1 September – less than two weeks from today. If you miss registering for the reunion, you will not be able to purchase a meal at the Lobster Baker Banquet on Saturday night.  Walk-up registrations will be available at the Reunion at a cost of $40. 

Highlights of the 2024 Reunion include:

• The dedication of two memorial benches at 4:00 p.m on Friday afternoon to kick off the Reunion

• A welcoming reception on Friday from 4:30 – 10:00 p.m. featuring a food truck by Cook’s Lobster and Ale House, Flight Deck Brewing Company Beer, and a cash bar

• Live music by Faceplant from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Friday night – playing music we listened to on deployment: https://www.facebook.com/faceplantgroup/

• Military aircraft static displays on Saturday; we have invited a U.S. Navy P-3, P-8, T-44, and a Canadian CP-140 Aurora to participate

• Two heritage presentations titled “Cold War Maritime Patrol” presented by RADM Dick Brooks, USN (Ret.), CDR Leo Murphy, USN (Ret.), and Mr. Jim Schreiber

• A U.S. Navy Flag Officer panel on Saturday afternoon

• A Lobster Bake Banquet on Saturday night catered by Cook’s Lobster and Ale House

We have created the opportunity to reserve a table for eight (8) people at this year’s Lobster Bake Banquet for a donation of $50.00. A table will be reserved in your name, and you will be responsible for seating arrangements at that table.

Further details and on-line registration are at this link: https://bnamuseum.org/

The natural beauty of late summah in Maine… lobstah… reuniting with Shipmates. Don’t miss out on the fun!

SCORE Maine officially presents two annual educational programs that provide tax preparers, enrolled agents, CPAs and legal professionals with updated information about annual changes in Maine and Federal tax laws. The Tax Practitioner Institute (TPI) and the Maine Tax Forum (MTF) both provide continuing education credits.



Due to overwhelming feedback from last years’ events, we have decided to again offer these programs as live virtual events in 2024. We’re also pleased to offer a new and more user-friendly registration and learning interface that attendees will find enhances the overall experience.

New Member Spotlight

James & Whitney Co.

Chelsea, South Portland, and Manchester, NH

(207) 869 - 5062

https://jameswhitneyco.com/

From flying cars to yachts and wind blades. We build high-performance composites for custom applications, specializing in the marine and renewable energy industries.

Custom Composite Technologies, Inc. is a family business, founded in 1999 by Steve and Maureen Hassett. In 2021 they were joined by their son, Nate, whose experience spans apprenticeship at CCTI, education at Montana State University, and working with advanced composite aviation companies in Redmond, Oregon as a composite builder.

With 30-plus years of experience, we know lightweight composites. We will work with your design from the drawing board to completion, applying exacting accuracy and expertise at every stage.

Small Business Resources

Governor Mills Announces Launch of Maine Funding Network to Help Maine Businesses Explore & Secure Financing

New online portal is a one-stop shop for Maine business owners exploring public and non-profit financing options

Governor Janet Mills today announced the launch of the Maine Funding Network, a new online portal designed to be a one-stop shop to connect Maine businesses to financing options to help them grow and succeed.

The new resource, an initiative of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), is a centralized, easy-to-use platform designed to help interested borrowers easily navigate Maine’s menu of public and nonprofit business funding options. The portal was designed with input and feedback from Maine business owners, lenders, and economic development leaders.

“The Maine Funding Network will serve as a one-stop shop for Maine businesses as they explore funding options available from Maine’s public and nonprofit funding agencies,” said Governor Mills. “I thank the Finance Authority of Maine for working with my Administration to create this new resource, which will help keep Maine the best place to live, work, and start and grow a business.”

“Maine entrepreneurs, business owners, lenders, and local economic development entities told us they wanted an easy-to-find online resource that identifies funding resources and assistance – and we are delivering,” said Heather Johnson, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. “Now the best business ideas in Maine can more easily access multiple funding resources in one location, making it that much easier to start or grow a business in Maine.”

The network initially will be comprised of fifteen partner organizations ranging from Maine business advisors to lenders to venture capital and is expected to grow.

“FAME is pleased to host this business funding network and to amplify the collective impact of our fellow economic development partners,” said Carlos Mello, CEO of the Finance Authority of Maine. “Whether it be a state-sponsored financing program or a local lending product, Maine businesses and entrepreneurs will now have far more solutions available to them in one location.”

Information on how to leverage the new portal can be found on the Maine Funding Network's website.

Governor Mills and Treasurer Beck Encourage Maine People to Claim Outstanding Relief Payments

Approximately 40,000 unclaimed relief payments are available through Maine’s Unclaimed Property program

Governor Janet Mills and Maine State Treasurer Henry Beck are encouraging Maine people to see if they are missing out on pandemic-era relief money that belongs to them.

During the pandemic and immediately following, Governor Mills and the Legislature created several relief payment programs to put money directly back into the pockets of Maine people.

Of the nearly 2.3 million payments distributed, approximately 40,000 checks (or nearly 2 percent) – totaling approximately $19 million – have never been cashed. This money has now been turned over to the Maine Unclaimed Property program and can be claimed by Maine people.

To determine if their relief payment has gone unclaimed, Maine people can visit the Maine Unclaimed Property program’s website at www.maineunclaimedproperty.gov.

You can read the full press release here.

Have a great weekend!

2024 Cornerstone Memberships

Cory is booking meetings all month long for Cornerstone Membership visits. These businesses are interested in elevating their commitment with the chamber to include sponsorship of the events and programs that the chamber initiates annually.  There are three levels of Cornerstone Membership for 2024, and they include all of your dues (or most of your dues at the third level) for 12 months. 

The top level is the Cornerstone Member level ($5000 annually) which includes:

• 12 months of dues for your main and branch offices
• Industry exclusivity at this level
• Top level marketing package and mentions and chamber events and chamber programs, including: BBRC Awards Dinner, Hacker’s Ball, Chamber After Hours, 12 @ 12, and much more
• Complimentary Tickets to the BBRC Awards Dinner in March
• Cornerstones are limited to 8 industry-specific businesses only (meaning 8 businesses from 8 separate industries)

The second level is the Chamber Partner level ($2000 annually) which includes:

• 12 months of dues for your main and branch offices
• Secondary level marketing package and mentions at chamber events and chamber programs, including: BBRC Awards Dinner, Hacker’s Ball, monthly Chamber After Hours, monthly 12 @ 12, and much more
• Complimentary Tickets to the BBRC Awards Dinner in March
• There is no industry exclusivity or limited amount of spots at this level- we will accept as many businesses who want to join us at this level

The third level is the Chamber Supporter level ($1000 annually) which includes:

• $400 dues voucher towards 12 months of dues
• Tertiary level marketing package and mentions at chamber events and chamber programs, including: BBRC Awards Dinner, Hacker’s Ball, monthly Chamber After Hours, monthly 12 @ 12, and much more
• Complimentary Ticket to the BBRC Awards Dinner in March
• We will accept as many businesses who want to join us at this level

For the full package, see the listing below. E-mail Cory (or call) if you're interested! Even if you’re not sure he can lay out the 2024 plan and talk about how your business or organization may fit a Cornerstone Membership.  

Chamber Works Program Updates

We wanted to again highlight some very exciting news about our workforce programs.

If your business is interested meeting students and showcasing your careers through:

• Work-Study Internships
• Job Shadows
• Career Bus Tours
• In-School Chats

…then we would love for you to take 5 minutes now to sign up. There are two ways to sign up and/or get more information...



If you're ready to register to be considered for either career bus tours or work-study internship programs, please fill out the following forms and e-mail them back to Anthony or Cory.

If you want to get more information on any of the four programs, or you want to sign up for the In School Chats, or Job Shadows program, please fill out this direct contact survey, it won't take more than a couple of minutes.

Brunswick Landing Neighborhood News

We’re thrilled to announce launch of Brunswick Landing Neighborhood News, a new publication of the BBRC focusing on Brunswick Landing events and business updates, news from MRRA, and infrastructure information. It is intended to both highlight things happening on Brunswick Landing, and to share information that is highly-impactful to Brunswick Landing businesses.

Please note that this is a separate newsletter from the weekly Chamber newsletter. If you would like to be included, you must sign up using this link.

Anyone is welcome to sign up however submissions will be limited to BL businesses and BL news with very few exceptions. Feel free to submit anything you think may be relevant but we will be the final arbiters of what is included. That said, your submission could very well end up in our regular Chamber newsletter. 

After Hours, 12 @ 12, & Cornerstone Info

Chamber After Hours hosts get the chance to show off their space to 60-80 attendees and educated them on their organization. While we are fully booked for the remainder of 2023, we're always happy to secure hosts for 2024. More information and application can be found below.

The BBRC News & Notes are generously sponsored by

Our 2023 Cornerstone Banking Member: 

The BBRC News & Notes are generously sponsored by

Our 2023 Cornerstone Commercial Real Estate Member: 

The BBRC News & Notes are generously sponsored by

Our 2023 Cornerstone Healthcare Member: 

The BBRC News & Notes are generously sponsored by

Our 2023 Cornerstone Automotive Sales Member: 

Darling's Brunswick Ford