PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — New Ventures Maine has announced the winners of its marketing mini-grant competition for small businesses in Aroostook County.
Two Rivers Lunch of Allagash and Stumpy Acres Farm of Perham each received an award of $200 to help with signage and other marketing tools.
Kim Jones, director of Employer U and assistant professor of business management for the University of Maine at Presque Isle, served on the grant review committee, lending her expertise to the review process.
“I think the mini-grants offer area business owners a great opportunity to access funds to help improve and grow their business. While it’s not a huge sum of money, it can certainly make the difference in starting and/or completing those workplace projects that might otherwise not get done,” said Jones. “The application process is simple and the selection is done in a way that is fair and takes into consideration the impact of the funds on the overall business.”
Two Rivers Lunch will use the funds to update and upgrade their roadside signage with a hand-painted sign by local artist, Mary Beth Jackson, a project to better reflect their image and create greater visibility.
The restaurant is located at the confluence of the Allagash and St John Rivers and serves local diners as well as many who travel hundreds of miles to visit each year, from snowmobilers to Allagash Wilderness visitors. Fare is made to order on site by local chefs.
Stumpy Acres Farm, at 106 Mouse Island Road in Perham, will use their grant to acquire a professionally designed logo and sign to assist in both name recognition and clarity to those passing by their location. Currently advertising only by word of mouth, this will allow them to promote their brand in a more professional manner.
With a mission to farm naturally, sustainably and humanely, they currently raise Scottish Highland Cattle for both beef and breeding stock. Beef is sold by the animal and they offer cuts from the freezer.
New Ventures Maine’s marketing mini-grant criteria included having five or fewer employees, gross annual sales of $250,000 or less, and articulating a compelling marketing project to support business growth. Support for NVME’s mini-grants program was provided in part from The Betterment Fund.
A statewide organization serving all 16 Maine counties from nine centers and outreach sites, New Ventures Maine’s Aroostook County office is located at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. For more information visit www.newventuresmaine.org.
