Mainebiz

V O L . X X V I N O. X X V O C T O B E R 1 9 , 2 0 2 0 8 B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S N E W S F RO M A RO U N D T H E S TAT E UNE to move med school to Portland e University of New England said it will use a $30 million gift from the Harold Alfond Foundation toward construction of a $70 million build- ing in Portland to house its College of Osteopathic Medicine. Currently based in Biddeford, the college would relocate to a new 110,000-square- foot facility on UNE's Portland campus. UNE said the project will require it to raise additional funds through public and private sources. It aims to break ground on the new facility in spring 2022 and have it completed by fall 2023. N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N The town of Kennebunkport signed a contract to resume sending its paper, cardboard, plastic, metal and glass to ecomaine, the municipally-owned, non- profit recycling processor in Portland. U.S. Small Business Administration awarded $461,000 to the Maine International Trade Center in Portland through its competitive State Trade Expansion Program. The funding will be used to support export growth among small businesses. The Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach Transit Committee was awarded a total of $440,944 to assist with operating and administrative expenses amid the pandemic. This second tranche of fund- ing was awarded by the Federal Transit Administration through the CARES Act. Q: What is the best way for small businesses to deal with the possibility of future emergency shutdowns, like a COVID flare-up in the fall? ACE advises: Businesses need contingency action plans in hand to success- fully deal with emergencies. The economic fallout of the COVID shutdown is just one example of an emer- gency situation that could be addressed by a written plan. With forethought, weather-related disasters and other large-scale events that may affect business operations for extended periods of time can also be mitigated. A contingency action plan should begin with a prompt for when the plan goes into effect. Ideally, it would contain a decision tree for whether the business should remain open at all, or possibly operate at a limited capacity. For limited operation, the plan should include an immediate review of all finan- cial liabilities and quick reduction of any extraneous purchases. Essentials only. The business owner should evaluate — and include in the plan — the spe- cific products and services that would be offered during an emergency, taking into consideration the staffing level needed to keep the business operating at a reduced capacity. Streamlining the business as much as possible will diminish the disorga- nized paralysis that often happens when an emergency occurs. The planning for an unexpected emergency can seem daunting, but having a plan of action beforehand will provide stability and direction in an economic crisis. Before the next emergency occurs, please consider thinking out the process of a limited operation, and then put in writing the actions that work best for you. A S K AC E Answered by Kimberly Gilbert Of Gilbert Business Consulting The Association for Consulting Expertise (ACE) is a non-profit association of independent consultants who value "Success through Collaboration." The public is welcome to attend its regular meetings to share best practices and engage with industry experts. For more information go to www.consultexpertise.com. Kimberly Gilbert of Gilbert Business Consulting can be reached at kim@gilbertbusinessconsulting.com Before the next emergency occurs, consider thinking out the process of a limited operation, and then put in writing the actions that work best for you. The Cedars new Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility Community PM Construction is excited to be paired with The Cedars on this new 45,000 sq ft Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility. The Cedars is adding to their already blended retirement community with 60 of these innovative senior living "household" rooms. When you need to pair up with a Construction Manager contact Laura Blanchette 207.282.7697 Flexing the Power of Home Rule: A Path Toward Regional Solutions 2020 GrowSmart Maine Summit Thursday, October 22 | Pepperell Mill | 40 Main St. | Biddeford Anchor venue: Biddeford Satellite locations: Presque Isle | Bangor | Machias | Hallowell | Sidney Virtual option available For tickets: http://bit.ly/GSM2020Summit growsmartmaine.org Join us! Featured Speakers: • Colin Woodard, State & National Affairs Writer, Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram • Anthony Flint, Senior Fellow, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy MaineBiz | Maine Magazine | CEI Generously supported by The Nature Conservancy in Maine | Central Maine Power | Bangor Savings Bank Kennebec Savings Bank | Anew Development | MaineHousing Wright-Ryan Construction | Elmina B Sewall Foundation S O U T H E R N

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