Chamber Updates, Member News

& Tips for Business You Can Use

Friday trivia!

Each week the question will be at the top, answer at the bottom...we encourage you to take a look at everything in between as well 😉

Question: On July 18, 1995, which tech company launched its now-iconic website?

Dear Members,

A quick story…

At least once every weekend, I take my two young boys on an adventure. One of their favorites? “Surprise donuts.” We’ll split a 10-pack of chocolate glazed munchkins from Dunkin’. There are at least four Dunkin’s near us in Durham, so we pick a direction and go.

Last Sunday, we headed to Lisbon. As we passed through downtown, Moxie Festival signage was flapping in the breeze. Closer to the high school, I saw volunteers in reflective vests walking along the road. At first, I thought they were Public Works. But then I recognized them: Lisbon business owners, community leaders, and volunteers—all picking up trash left behind after a sudden downpour.

Among them were Lisbon’s Economic & Community Development Director Ross Cunningham and his wife, the IT guy from downtown, young people, older folks—all out there chipping in.

Two weeks ago, Amanda McDaniel and Camille from Main Street Bath did the same during Heritage Days. So did Reilly and the Brunswick Downtown Association at Music on the Mall and 2nd Fridays. And so many others across our region.

Everywhere you look, there are leaders leading—not by pointing and directing, but by showing up. Their hands are dirty, their brows are sweaty, and their smiles are wide. They're giving the most precious thing any of us have: time.

All to make their communities—the places they live and raise their families—a little better.

That should be noticed. That should be applauded.

Good on all of you.

Cory

Chamber Events and Projects

Jumpstarting workforce solutions in the Midcoast this fall starts now

This spring, we partnered with United Way of Mid Coast Maine, piloted two workforce programs: the Connecting to Tomorrow Internship Program and the Connecting to Tomorrow Video Project. We celebrated the success of both at a May event at Union + Co., where students and businesses were recognized for their participation.

The success of the pilot secured funding to run both programs throughout the 2025-2026 school year. We’re also pursuing additional grants to expand this work even further. Building a stronger, more connected local workforce will continue to be a top priority for the Chamber over the next five years.

Workforce development has been part of our work since 2020. We’ve partnered with Morse, Mt. Ararat, Brunswick, and now Freeport High School to help students explore career paths. Early funding from the American Rescue Plan allowed us to launch internships and career-exploration tours. Since then, we’ve kept the momentum going by bringing businesses into classrooms and creating new opportunities for students to learn.

United Way of Mid Coast Maine brought grant funding and a shared vision to the table, and the phrase “connecting to tomorrow” was born. The current grant, from the Working Communities Challenge (administered by the Boston Federal Reserve), focuses on reducing teen hopelessness. Our approach is to connect students with real, local career possibilities, tracked through pre- and post-program surveys.

Now we need your help.

This summer, we’re building a list of internship opportunities for students to consider this fall. About half of students already have an idea of what they want to explore. The other half rely on the list we bring them.

What to know about hosting an intern:

• Interns are paid by the grant, not by the host
• Internships are either 20 or 40 hours long
• Hosts complete a short entrance interview, provide a learning experience, and conduct an exit interview

You decide the structure, schedule, and focus of the internship. It can be one project, a single role, or exposure to multiple departments.

The Video Project is also returning. If your organization has a policy that supports tomorrow’s workforce, a student video team will visit, interview you, and create a short video. It’s free promotion and a great experience for the students.

To get involved, email Cory or Maggie at the United Way.

Events, News & Notes

July 18, 2025

4th Annual Brunswick in Bloom Garden Tour

Saturday, July 19th

10:00am - 3:00pm

Presented by Oasis Free Clinics

Join us for the 2025 Brunswick in Bloom Garden Tour, a self-guided journey through seven stunning private gardens across our community. Whether you’re a passionate gardener, nature lover, or just looking for a peaceful and inspiring day outdoors, this tour offers a unique opportunity to explore a variety of lush landscapes, creative garden designs, and vibrant blooms.

Each featured garden has been carefully selected to showcase local gardeners’ beauty, diversity, and creativity. Proceeds from the tour directly support Oasis Free Clinics, helping us provide essential healthcare services to neighbors in need.

The tour starts at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. We hope you will join us afterwards at our annual Garden Party, a fun opportunity to meet other garden lovers, enjoy light refreshments, and discuss the tour. 

New additions to Brunswick in Bloom:

Sea Bags: We have partnered with Sea Bags to create a Brunswick in Bloom bag and wristlet! Own a one-of-a-kind, Maine-made Sea Bag while supporting our work at Oasis. You can also purchase a wristlet filled with dental supplies for an Oasis patient. Both make great holiday gifts! Click on the link below for more info.

Build-A-Bouquet Station: For an extra fee and at our bonus garden, you’ll have the chance to handpick fresh, vibrant blooms from a variety of seasonal flowers at our Build-A-Bouquet Station. Whether you’re an expert florist or a beginner, we’ll provide everything you need to craft your own stunning bouquet, thanks to our friends and sponsor, Mare Brook Farm.



Brunswick in Bloom Poster: We have partnered with Portland artist, Katharine Watson, to create a beautiful Brunswick in Bloom art poster.

Music on the Mall

Pat Colwell & The Soul Sensations: A powerful mix of Motown/Memphis Soul Music

Wednesday, July 23rd

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Find updates on our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/brunswickdowntown

In the case of inclement weather, check back for updates. All concerts start at 6 PM EXCEPT August 13th-MSMT starts at 5:00 PM

Bath Summer Concert Series

Ragtime Destroyers

Saturday, July 29th

5:00PM

A beloved staple of the local music scene, the Ragtime Destroyers are known for popping up on street corners and public squares, transforming everyday spaces into spontaneous celebrations. This high-spirited ensemble delivers a joyful blend of 1920s and ’30s New Orleans-style jazz, guaranteed to get your toes tapping and your spirits soaring. Their sound is a vibrant mix of melodic trumpet, growling trombone, and swooping clarinet, all riding on the rhythmic pulse of a thumping tuba, jangling banjo, and the infectious rattle of a washboard. Whether they’re cracking jokes between tunes or leading a crowd in a sidewalk shimmy, the Ragtime Destroyers bring vintage jazz to life with flair, charm, and a deep respect for the roots of American music. Playful yet polished, they serve up hot jazz with a side of jug band joy—music made for dancing, laughing, and living out loud.

🦞 Spark Cycling is headed to Cundy’s Harbor! 🦞

Join us Thursday, July 24th at The Holbrook Store, proudly owned and run by Spark member Liza Rowland (yes, *Jack’s* wife!). We’ll unveil our brand-new merch and hang out in a laid-back setting - a chance to connect, browse, and enjoy the harbor vibes 🌊

**Everyone’s welcome! Never been to Spark Cycling before? We've got you! We'll be giving out a free class to any new rider who wants to give it a try 🙌🏻

Come say hi, check out Liza’s shop, grab dinner next door at Harborside Grill, and don’t miss the main event: Jack spinning tunes in the DJ booth 🎧.

✨ *Heads up:* Only Spark membership holders can purchase new merchandise at this event. It will be available to everyone at the studio starting Friday the 25th.

 The Annual Block Party Returns! 

Join us at the Brunswick Landing Block Party on Saturday, August 2, from 4 PM to 8 PM for an evening packed with family-friendly fun! Free to attend, with food and beverage proceeds supporting the Brunswick Community Education Foundation (BCEF)!



 🍕 Food Trucks & Delicious Eats

 🎤 Live Music

 🧒🏻 Bounce House by the Landing Y

 🎨 Face Painting

 🐶 Midcoast Humane Puppy Corral

 🍸 Signature Cocktails at Wild Oats

 🍻 Refreshing Beer & Wine at Flight Deck

And the best part? Food & beverage sales directly support the Brunswick Community Education Foundation!

Bring your friends and family - let's party!

Rock around the jailhouse block

LCHA Museum at the Old Jail

133 Federal St.

Wiscasset

Saturday, August 9th

5:00 - 9:00pm

It’s party time at the Old Lincoln County Jail on Federal Street in Wiscasset! Gather your friends and family for a rousing good time at Jailhouse Rock on Saturday, August 9th from 5:00 - 9:00pm. Jailhouse Rock is an event for all ages with dancing, food, lawn games, and tours of the jail cells.

The stewardship committee of Lincoln County Historical Association’s (LCHA) Old Jail invites young and old for an evening of music by the jazz-rock-blues band, Leopard Girls, and their set of foot-tapping music. 

Bring your own picnic or purchase food at the jail. Event organizers have partnered with Wiscasset Partners in Education to sell picnic fare at reasonable prices to benefit school programs. In addition, kids and kids-at-heart will participate in games and races, and those interested in glimpsing the austere cells in the 214 year-old granite jailhouse will be treated to brief tours.

Tickets for adults are just $5; kids are free. Jailhouse Rock will be held rain or shine. Visit the LCHA website at lincolncountyhistory.org to purchase tickets online.

The Lincoln County Old Jail is located at 133 Federal Street in Wiscasset.

Venturing Forth is a free, online comprehensive business planning class starting Tuesdays, August 26, 2025. Designed for new entrepreneurs or existing business owners, Venturing Forth helps participants create a written business plan from start to finish with feedback from facilitators and fellow entrepreneurs. Individuals complete an online application and attend an orientation and individual interview to participate in the class. The application is accessible online and is due by Noon on Friday, August 15, 12:00 pm. Class size is limited to 15.

Anyone with a business idea or current business is welcome to apply.

Upon approval of a completed business plan, the class also qualifies for three pass/fail credits from the University of Maine at Augusta.

To request or complete an application, register for the orientation, or learn more, contact Destin DeCambre at destin.decambre@maine.edu or 207-768-9468 or visit the New Ventures Maine website to register.

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Receives “Best-In-State Bank” Recognition from Forbes for Fourth Consecutive Year

Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB), the parent company of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, is pleased to announce that the Bank has been recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of America’s “Best-In-State Banks” for the fourth consecutive year. The Bank was selected for the honor based on customer feedback and is one of only 191 banks to be recognized, representing less than 5% of all U.S. banks.



“To be named one of Forbes’ Best-in-State Banks for our home state of Maine for the fourth year in a row is a tremendous honor,” said Curtis C. Simard, President and CEO of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “This recognition reflects our entire team’s unwavering dedication to our customers and communities, and our commitment to provide exceptional service to everyone who trusts us with their financial needs. We strive for excellence every day because we believe that is what our customers deserve.”

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has been serving the financial needs of Northern New England residents and businesses since it was founded in 1887 in Bar Harbor, Maine. The Bank balances the delivery of digital services that customers require, such as mobile banking and mobile deposit, with a personal approach to banking that customers desire. The Bank has a full-service network of more than 50 branches across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

In addition to the “Best-in-State Banks” honor, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust also received recognition from Newsweek earlier this year as one of “America’s Best Regional Banks.”

For Forbes’ eighth annual ranking of the best banks in each state, the magazine partnered with market research firm Statista to conduct surveys with more than 26,000 U.S. residents about the banks and credit unions where they have a checking or savings account. Survey participants evaluated financial institutions based on criteria including: trust, customer service, digital tools, terms and conditions, and financial advice. The evaluation process also included analyzing more than 500,000 public reviews and ratings submitted over the past three years to gauge public sentiment about the banks under consideration.

Visit the Forbes website at www.forbes.com/lists/best-in-state-banks/ to learn more about the 2025 “Best-in-State Banks” recognition and the selection process.

Brunswick Landing's Mölnlycke Health Care makes record investment to increase global manufacturing capacity with expansion

Mölnlycke® Health Care, a global leader in MedTech, today announces its largest investment to date: a €115 million expansion of its wound care manufacturing capacity in Brunswick, Maine, USA. 

This move is a key part of Mölnlycke’s ongoing localisation strategy, aimed at producing products where they are sold. It addresses increasing US customer demand and underscores Mölnlycke's commitment to growth, customer centricity and sustainability. 

Zlatko Rihter, CEO of Mölnlycke, says, "This expansion strengthens our US presence and our mission to free patients and caregivers from the burden of wounds. With increased manufacturing capacity, we’re ready to meet the growing needs of our customers and take our US growth to the next level." 

Over the next five years, Mölnlycke will invest around €115 million to secure the supply of Mölnlycke's life-changing wound care products in the world’s largest medtech market. The expansion will create new job opportunities, increasing the local workforce by 10%, as well as engaging local contractors. 

By expanding its US manufacturing capacity, Mölnlycke will strengthen its supply chain resilience, mitigate risk exposure and ensure the timely delivery of products to healthcare providers and patients across the US and beyond.  

The state-of-the-art facility will support Mölnlycke’s long-term sustainability goals by utilising renewable energy sources like wind and solar power and reducing climate impact through streamlined logistics. 

Additionally, the expansion will integrate cutting-edge machinery and technical equipment from US suppliers to enable high quality and efficient production of advanced wound care products. 

Chris Biddle, General Manager US Manufacturing, Wound Care, Mölnlycke, says, “This expansion is a very big deal and the result of over a year’s hard work. Besides creating new jobs, it will drive workforce development and bring technological advancements. It’s a win for Mölnlycke, for the local community and for patients. We’re excited about the positive impact it will have locally in Maine and across the broader US healthcare landscape.” 

New Member Spotlight

Midcoast Functional Training, LLC

112 Orion Street, Brunswick

(207) 844-3506

https://www.midcoastfunctionaltraining.com/

admin@midcoastfunctionaltraining.com

We strive to serve our community by providing compassionate, thorough, and affordable physical therapy, personal training, small group classes and run coaching services to help maintain or improve your function, fitness and quality of life. Our vision is to create a health care model that is truly client-centric, rooted in trust and compassion, cost-effective, and accessible to our community.

Municipal News

Town of Brunswick Drafts Comprehensive Plan

The Town of Brunswick is pleased to release the draft Comprehensive Plan, a strategic blueprint that will help guide Brunswick's future land use over the next ten years and beyond. Now we need your help.

Developed after gathering community input through public meetings, community workshops and additional engagement opportunities, the Comprehensive Plan Update Steering Committee (CPUSC) is seeking feedback from the public about the draft as the next step in the planning process.

"This comprehensive plan update represents the collective vision of community members who contributed throughout our outreach efforts over the last six years. We have worked to create a land use plan that balances Brunswick's growth demands while preserving our natural resources to best meet the concerns raised by citizens to achieve our goal of keeping our town One Brunswick, Beautifully Balanced. We now need to hear from all residents to ensure this plan truly reflects our shared priorities." Emilie Schmidt, CPUSC Chair.

The draft plan addresses key policy areas including land use, housing, economy, transportation and infrastructure, natural resources, marine resources, recreation, and cultural and historic preservation.

A project webpage has been created for access to the draft plan which can be found at www.planbrunswick.org. 

The public is invited to read the plan and submit comments on the form on the above website by August 14, 2025.

Printed copies of the draft Comprehensive Plan are available for review at the Planning Office on the second floor of Town Hall and at Curtis Memorial Library at the help desk on the second floor.

Contact Information

For more information or questions about the draft Comprehensive Plan, residents may contact the Brunswick Planning Office at planbrunswick@brunswickme.gov or 207-725-6660.

Have a great weekend!

The BBTRC Newsletter is generously sponsored by

our 2025 Cornerstone Real Estate Member: 

The BBTRC News & Notes are generously sponsored by

our 2025 Cornerstone Banking Member: 

The BBTRC News & Notes are generously sponsored by

our 2025 Cornerstone Commercial Real Estate Member: 

The BBTRC News & Notes are generously sponsored by

our 2025 Cornerstone Healthcare Member: 

The BBTRC News & Notes are generously sponsored by

our 2025 Cornerstone Automotive Sales Member: 

Chamber Resources

Last week we sent out an email full of information on sponsorship opportunities for 2025. We made a downloadable document for you to reference here.

In addition, we've created a one-pager that outlines the benefits of joining the BBTRC. We're always eager to welcome new members but we also know that our current members are some of the best resource we have! The downloadable document is here and also below.

2025 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 2025, 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
• Top level marketing package and mentions and chamber events and chamber programs, including: BBTRC Awards Dinner, Hacker’s Ball, Chamber After Hours, 12 @ 12, and much more
• Complimentary Tickets to the BBTRC 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: BBTRC Awards Dinner, Hacker’s Ball, monthly Chamber After Hours, monthly 12 @ 12, and much more
• Complimentary Tickets to the BBTRC 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: BBTRC Awards Dinner, Hacker’s Ball, monthly Chamber After Hours, monthly 12 @ 12, and much more
• Complimentary Ticket to the BBTRC 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 2025 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 Cory.

Brunswick Landing Neighborhood News

We’re thrilled to announce launch of Brunswick Landing Neighborhood News, a new publication of the BBTRC 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. More information and application can be found below.