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Chamber Updates, Member News

& Tips for Business You Can Use

BBRC News & Notes

(3 Minute Read)

August 18, 2023

In this issue:

✅ Cory at the ELO Conference

✅ The MARC breaks ground

✅ The Block Party is back! Saturday, 9/9

✅ MCHPP Business Mixer, 8/22

✅ MRRA Diaper Drive next week

✅ Wilcox Fitness: The Benefits of Eating More Protein

...and more!

Dear Members,

Some bits and pieces for this third Friday in August:

The Coastliner's 76-seat train car was tested during the Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland, drawing 628 riders.
Cory lays out 11 local events to look for as summer begins to draw to a close (didn't it just start?!) in his weekly Times Record Column. Don't forget those big three events happening tomorrow: Kindness Day in Bath, The Brunswick Outdoors Festival, and the Highland Games!
He also previews eight ballot questions that we'll be diving into as election day nears in November. They are a bit dense but important so we encourage you to start educating yourself now!
It might still be August but we're already prepping for the Midcoast Tree Festival! Mark your calendars: this year's festival is set for the weekends before and after Thanksgiving. Interested in getting involved? We'll have more information on that next week!
We're skipping the August After Hours this month but look for a September save the date below.

Last but not least, Cory presented at the 2nd annual ELO Conference in Orono on Tuesday, really cool stuff is happening with our Workforce Program!

Have a wonderful and safe weekend,

The BBRC Team

BBRC at the ELO Conference

On Tuesday Cory was in Orono presenting at the 2nd Annual ELO Conference, an event run by Jobs for Maine Graduates. ELOs (Extended Learning Opportunities) are hands-on, credit bearing courses held outside of the traditional classroom with an emphasis on community based career exploration.

His session focused on the collaboration building between the BBRC, local businesses, and regional ELO Coordinators. By leveraging the BBRC's network, ELO coordinators connect students to businesses to help address workforce needs. With representatives from Morse, BHS, and MTA in attendance, Cory had specific examples of success to reference and the excitement in the room for future opportunities was palpable. The conversation was wide-ranging with lots of questions and topics covering all sorts of things facing schools and businesses across the state.

The success of the BBRC's Workforce Programming is giving us these opportunities to speak and more importantly, get other chambers, schools, and businesses involved - if you're interested in learning more, talk to Cory or Anthony!

Events, News & Notes

August 18, 2023

MARC Groundbreaking Ceremony

Monday was an exceptionally beautiful day and there was certainly plenty to celebrate at the official groundbreaking ceremony of the new Midcoast Athletic & Recreation Complex (MARC)! The long anticipated event featured remarks from committee members and recognition of project donors, sponsors, and partners. While this is just the beginning of Phase 1, Tier 1A, it's an exciting step in making the MARC a reality!

Bloc Party to benefit the MARC

Wild Oats Parking Lot

Saturday, September 9th, 5:00pm - 9:00pm

The Bloc Party is back! Last year's party, co-hosted by Flight Deck Brewery and Wild Oats Bakery, was such an overwhelming success that they're bringing it back for another year of food, drinks, music, and general end of summer celebration to raise money for the MARC. This family-friendly event drew over 4,000 people in 2022 and you can bet that they are ready for even bigger crowds this year!

MCHPP Business Community Mixer

MCHPP Food Bank

179 Neptune Dr, Brunswick

August 22nd, 4:30pm - 6:00pm

Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program is inviting the local business community to a Business Mixer at the Food Bank on Tuesday, August 22nd from 4:30pm - 6pm. This is a great opportunity to hear about their work in the community with a behind the scenes look at their newest facility. We hope you will join them to learn more about how you can get involved in their mission to ensure all our neighbors have access to the healthy food they need to thrive. Refreshments provided. Reach out to Rena with any questions at rpulfer@mchpp.org

The Benefits of Eating Enough Protein & Ways to Increase It

By: Allison Hopkins, Wilcox Wellness & Fitness

Last month I wrote about supporting a healthy metabolism and some of the metabolism busters that we can fall into, one of which is not eating enough protein. I personally noticed that I wasn’t meeting the protein mark in my own diet. I made a few small adjustments to increase my protein intake and noticed some significant changes in how I felt throughout my day. In talking with members of my gym, adequate protein consumption is a more common problem that we often realize, so today I want to talk about getting more protein into our daily intake.

There are several reasons why eating enough protein is important.

Reduces hunger and supports weight loss: Eating a high protein diet helps to reduce hunger resulting in eating fewer calories, and increases the function of the weight regulating hormone peptide YY, which makes you feel full. Studies have also shown that increasing protein during the day helps to reduce late night cravings.

We're taking the month of August off but will be back in September for our next Chamber After Hours hosted by Union + Co in their new space at the Grant building in downtown Bath. Registration is open, save the date!

Have a wonderful weekend!

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.

Content Submission Form

August 16th Edition

After Hours, 12 @ 12, & Cornerstone Info

Hosting Opportunities

Our 12 @ 12 series is a smaller gathering of local business professionals. Each participant gets lunch and five minutes to introduce themselves and their business to the group. We have lots of openings for the rest of the year, more information and application below.

12 @ 12 Information and Application

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.

Chamber After Hours Application and Information

2023 Cornerstone Memberships Are Still Open!

Help Sponsor All the BBRC Does in 2023

The Cornerstone Membership Program is a tiered program of support that includes 12 months of annual dues*. Cornerstone Members are recognized supporters of all chamber events/activities in a year including: The BBRC Awards Dinner, Hacker's Ball, Midcoast Tree Festival, all Chamber After Hours and more. Cornerstone members also receive a tiered marketing package for the year.

Cornerstone Member $5000

The top tier makes you our Cornerstone Member for your industry, includes 12 months of your dues, and gets you primary recognition at chamber programs and activities. There is exclusivity as only six members can be at this level, and five are spoken for at this moment. 1 remaining.

Chamber Partner $2,000

The second level, called our Chamber Partner level, gets you 12 months of your dues, secondary recognition at chambers programs and activities and is open to all.

Chamber Supporter $1000

This tertiary level of support is ideal for smaller members as this includes $400 towards your annual dues payment along with recognition at chamber events and some marketing too.

2023 Cornerstone Member Packages

E-mail Cory for a Cornerstone Meeting

Member Resources

Join our membership

Our community is growing by the minute and we'd love to welcome you! Complete our member application to sign up.

And if you've been a member in the past and would like to rejoin, submit an application or reach out to Cory. It's that simple!

CLICK HERE for our 2022 Membership Application.

Pay your invoice online

Thank you for being a part of the Chamber community! Your engagement and financial contributions make all our work possible!

CLICK HERE to pay your invoice online.

*Please include your invoice number in the payment processing form.

Student Workforce Connections Job Board

Connect with high school job seekers using the Student Workforce Connections Job Board. Send your available job postings to careers@midcoastmaine.com.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the program and posting guidelines.

Post your events to our calendar

We want our online calendar packed with your events! The process is simple: Submit your event details through our website and we will approve.

SUBMIT your events.

Update your member info

An accurate listing in our directories ensures you stay connected - with us and prospective customers/clients. If you have changes to report, or haven't updated your information in a while, complete the form linked below and return to Cory.

CLICK HERE for the 2023 Member Information Update Form.