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V O L . X X I V N O. X I X S E P T E M B E R 3 , 2 0 1 8 18 S TA R T- U P S / E N T R E P R E N E U R S F O C U S at can cause issues ranging from delays to businesses feeling they're not welcome. A place to grow Waterville is one community that has become a hub for new business, driven largely by Colby College's investment in the downtown. Part of the new focus is a technol- ogy hub, particularly with the move in 2015 of Collaborative Consulting, which was bought by tech giant CGI two years ago. e latest startup to move to Waterville was attracted by the tech- nology culture. Ellsworth biotech firm GenoTyping Center of America announced Aug. 21 that it's opening a lab- oratory in the Hathaway Creative Center. [Ed: See related story on Page 20.] Cofounder and Marketing Director Michael Greene says that the business was attracted by "access to an emerg- ing technology community...a highly skilled workforce and innovation sup- port systems that are essential for a startup biotech." e company, founded in 2012, has experienced rapid growth over the past couple years and its founders say Waterville is the perfect place for that to continue. "We will be looking to increase our capacity and hire top talent," says Todd Dehm, CEO and a co-founder. ' Part of something that's bigger' A dozen miles down the Kennebec River, downtown Augusta is another community that has taken charge of its revitalization, largely through investment by local developers and small businesses. Downtown Augusta Alliance Executive Director Michael Hall says that incentives combined with a positive community philosophy are the key. Recent incentives include the Tipping Point Small Business Development program, in partnership with Kennebec Savings Bank, which helps small- property owners renovate and add residential units. Developers are also making use of historic tax credits after 51 buildings downtown were added to the National Register of Historic Places. "But what really sets downtown Augusta apart from other communities is the chance to be a part of something that's bigger than any one project, business or development," Hall says. "is is a community in the truest sense of the word." e businesses in the city's down- town are mainly small and indepen- dently owned, but all add to the overall fabric that those behind downtown development see as being important to sustaining the city of 18,500's economy. Katie Smith, owner of Circa 1885, a wine bar that opened on Water Street last year, says downtown Augusta has a good mix for entrepreneurs — prox- imity to state offices, residential areas, and particularly the addition of new downtown apartments. "When I look at Water Street, I see potential for Augusta to be the capital city all of Maine deserves — a vibrant, local scene with lots of work here/live here/play here potential," she says. She moved to Maine from Georgia, where she'd been a project manager, to pursue a better work/life balance, but found an empty space in Augusta that seemed ideal to open a business she'd been thinking about for a while. She says lower commercial lease rates and "a fairly sizable population that has mostly been served by large, impersonal chains for decades now" make the Kennebec Valley ripe for new business. Smith says one thing that's consis- tent statewide, "is the average Mainer's hardcore allegiance to supporting Maine businesses, and I believe that is a great win for small business in this state." Supporting resources "Maine has always been a small busi- ness state," Delisle says, but many policy makers are looking for the next "gazelle," a business that will take off and run, becoming huge. "It's hard to get excited that a cof- fee shop opened downtown if you're a policy maker," he says. Yet, the typical business in Maine has five to 10 employees, with much of it in small towns and rural areas, he says. » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Maine lawyers working for Maine businesses. Por tland / Kennebunk • 207-775-7271 • 1-800-756-1166 • jbgh.com At Jensen Baird, our commitment is to you. Launching a new business in Maine calls for innovative legal strategies. At Jensen Baird we help emerging small businesses achieve their goals cost effectively. Let us help you find the right strategies for your business. Everything your small business needs. In one place. Checking & Savings Accounts. Microloans. Business Loans. Credit Cards. SBA Loans. Commercial Real Estate Loans. 207-854-6000 • infinityfcu.com • Westbrook • Portland • Bangor • Arundel They may have a skill set, but are not really familiar with running a small business. They may make a great pie, or beer, or be a great life coach, but that doesn't mean they understand how to put a business model together. — Mark Delisle Maine Small Business Development Centers

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