PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — New Ventures Maine recently named Rosalind Morgan of Linneus the winner of its Marketing Mini-grant competition for small businesses in Aroostook County.
Morgan’s company, RosWerks Design & Photography, received an award of $400, having been chosen from a strong group of applicants, said New Ventures officials.
With a mission to be known as the ‘go to’ source for visual representation in the community, Morgan’s company helps clients put their best foot forward, using design and photography to plan and manage the production of visual communication in order to convey specific messages or concepts.
“The designing of logos, brochures, flyers, letterhead and signs; along with product photography and event photography are a few of the tools we bring to bear for our clients,” Morgan said.
The marketing mini grant will help RosWerks acquire a professionally built website with the necessary training to maintain and update the site themselves. The website will extend their marketing reach and will include portfolios of design work and photographs to give potential clients the opportunity to see how Roswerks’ style suits their needs.
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,” Jones said. “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.”
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 comes in part from The Betterment Fund.
“The application process is simple,” said Jones, “and the selection is done in a way that is fair and takes into consideration the impact of the funds on the overall business.”
A statewide organization serving all 16 Maine counties from nine centers and outreach sites, New Ventures Maine offers skills development and support in the areas of career planning, entrepreneurship and financial management.
For more information on marketing mini-grants as well as other programs, classes, and resources for small businesses, visit newventuresmaine.org or call 1 (800) 442-2092.
