AROOSTOOK COUNTY, Maine — Entrepreneurs and would be business owners in Aroostook County are invited to one of two free workshops on how to expand your business with the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) federal small business programs.
The two workshops will be held Wednesday Sept. 20 at the Fort Kent Town Office at 416 W. Main Street from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 21 at Northern Maine Development Commission (MNDC) at 11 West Presque Isle Road in Caribou from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
James Pineau of the U.S. SBA will discuss programs designed to help firms gain access to federal contract opportunities and financing programs. NMDC’s Maine Procurement Technical Assistance Center Business Counselor Dana Delano will also present on what it takes to sell to government entities.
“We are pleased to welcome SBA’s Senior Area Manager, Jim Pineau, to Aroostook County,” said Delano. “These valuable programs are designed to help small firms gain access to federal contract opportunities. There are numerous Aroostook County small businesses which would qualify for federal business programs, such as Woman Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Small Business, 8(a) program or the HUBZone program. Government wide procurement goals stipulates that at least 23% of all federal government contracting dollars should be awarded to small businesses.”
Also presenting will be Josh Nadeau of the Maine Small Business Development Center (SBDC) on what services are available from the SBDC and NMDC. Karin Petrin of New Ventures Maine will discuss crowdfunding opportunities for small businesses.
“NMDC is happy to partner with these organizations to bring these workshops to Aroostook County,” said NMDC Executive Director Robert Clark. “These topics should help entrepreneurs better leverage the services available in the region to bring greater opportunities to their businesses.”
Space for the two workshops is limited and RSVPs are appreciated. To register, contact Dana Delano at ddelano@nmdc.org or by calling (207) 521-1713.
