Mainebiz

V O L . X X V N O. X V I 60 Fact Book / Doing Business in Maine B U S I N E S S R E S O U R C E S challenges. ASQ provides the quality community with training, professional certifications, and knowledge to a vast network of members of the global quality community. Association for Manufacturing Excellence www.ame.org/about-ame e AME members come together to explore lean thinking and other enter- prise improvement methods, exchange best practices and network in order to advance their careers and improve the competitiveness and overall value of their organizations. Coastal Enterprises Inc. www.ceimaine.org/about CEI is an expert in rural business funding, development and financ- ing. A private, nonprofit Community Development Corporation and Community Development Financial Institution based in Brunswick, CEI was founded in 1977 to develop job- creating natural resources and small business ventures in rural regions of Maine, and has grown to serve business funding all of Maine, its primary market. It does its work by funding, lending and investing in small and medium sized businesses, and providing business support and technical counseling services to those who need them. Its mission is to help create economically and environmen- tally healthy communities in which all people, especially those with low incomes, can reach their full potential. Eastern Maine Development Corp. www.emdc.org EMDC is dedicated to establishing a competitive business climate that embraces free enterprise, encourages entrepreneurship, promotes innova- tion, develops a quality workforce, and supports infrastructure investment, all of which lead to a thriving economy. EMDC is dedicated to advancing economic opportunity throughout Maine, including underserved indi- viduals, communities and businesses. Efficiency Maine www.efficiencymaine.com Efficiency Maine is the independent administrator for energy efficiency programs in Maine. Efficiency Maine's mission is to lower the cost and environmental impacts of energy in Maine by promoting cost-effective energy efficiency and alternative energy systems. Efficiency Maine does this primarily by delivering rebates on the purchase of high-efficiency lights and equipment to help customers save electricity, natural gas and heating fuels throughout the Maine economy. Finance Authority of Maine www.famemaine.com/about FAME helps lead the creation of good paying jobs for Maine citizens by work- ing at the nexus between economic and workforce development. e organiza- tion is charged with supporting the start-up, expansion and growth plans of Maine's business community. FAME also works closely with Maine's lending community to improve access to capital as well as to help fill gaps that exist in the State's capital delivery system. Kennebec Valley Council of Governments www.kvcog.org/index.php/about-us KVCOG is a municipal services corporation owned and operated by and for the benefit of its members. It helps members deliver cost effec- tive and efficient municipal services, to create a more stable, growing, and diversified regional economy, to improve transportation and commu- nication, and to preserve our natural environment through conservation of resources and wise land use planning and decision-making. Maine APICS apicsmaine.org APICS is a professional association for supply chain and operations man- agement and the leading provider of research, education and certification programs that elevate supply chain excellence, innovation and resilience. APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management, APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional and APICS Supply Chain Operations Reference Professional designations set the industry standard. Maine Center for Entrepreneurs Mced.biz Established in 1997, MCE's mission is to build and lead a community of growth-oriented businesses in Maine by providing the training, connections, coaching and mentorship needed to commercialize and grow ideas, prod- ucts and services — all to drive the growth of Maine's economy. Over its 20-year history, the organization has accelerated the growth of hundreds of businesses, and established a mentor network of over 125 members. Maine & Co. maineco.org Maine & Co. provides free and confi- dential consulting services to busi- nesses looking to relocate to Maine or expand within Maine. Services include real estate site searches, data collection and analysis, incentives identification and valuation, site visit coordination, workforce analysis and financing coordination. Maine Development Foundation www.mdf.org e MDF is a private, non-partisan membership organization that drives sustainable, long-term economic growth for the state of Maine. MDF stimulates new ideas, develops lead- ers, and provides common ground for solving problems and advancing issues by: empowering leaders; strengthen- ing communities; and guiding public policy with trusted economic research. Maine Employer's Mutual Insurance Co. www.memic.com MEMIC is a super-regional specialist organization in workers compensation insurance which has a strong financial profile and is growing in many new ter- ritories. e company maintains a domi- nant market share in Maine and has executed a careful growth strategy along the eastern seaboard in recent years. Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association www.mgfpa.org e Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association is a business trade associa- tion representing main street busi- nesses: independently owned and oper- ated grocery stores, supermarkets, food and beverage producers and processors, wholesalers and distributors and allied service companies. Maine Procurement Technical Assistance Center www.maineptac.org Maine PTAC is part of a nationwide network of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers. is statewide program is hosted by Eastern Maine Development Corporation. PTAC works with Maine-based companies that are interested in selling their prod- ucts and/or services to local, state or federal government agencies, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Maine Quality Centers www.mccs.me.edu/business-resources/ training/maine-quality-centers e Maine Quality Centers provide customized workforce training grants for Maine employers seeking to locate or expand their operations in Maine, or who are interest in providing training to their incumbent workers. Training programs are coordinated and deliv- ered through Maine's seven community colleges, and assistance is provided to design a program that delivers the train- ing needed, when and where you need it. Maine Small Business Development Centers www.mainesbdc.org Maine SBDC concept is a simple but effective concept: assist entrepreneurs and small businesses through no-cost confidential business advising and training. e SBDC program helps build and strengthen small businesses through business advising, training and educational resources. Maine Venture Fund maineventurefund.com e Maine Venture Fund is a profes- sionally managed venture capital fund that invests exclusively in Maine com- panies that demonstrate a potential for high growth and public benefit. e mission of the fund is to provide resources to attract, support, and help develop eligible small businesses with the potential for substantial growth and success that will contribute to the prosperity of Maine. Maine Wood Products Association mainewoodproducts.org e Maine Wood Products Association seeks to improve the competitive posi- tion of its members and build quality employment in the State by shar- ing technical, marketing and business expertise. e Association recognizes opportunities to maximize the growth and success of its members through pro-active stewardship of the natural resource and Maine's quality image. New England Council of State Governments newenglandcouncil.com/about e New England Council of State Governments is a non-partisan alli- ance of businesses, academic and health institutions, and public and private organizations throughout New England formed to promote economic growth and a high quality of life in the New England region. Its mission is to iden- tify and support federal public policies and articulate the voice of its mem- bership regionally and nationally on important issues facing New England.

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