Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1460934
W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 17 M A R C H 2 1 , 2 0 2 2 We cap off the Kneading Conference with the Maine Artisan Bread Fair, which includes samples and related prod- ucts. is year it will be at the Skowhegan Fair Grounds on July 30. MB: From an investment side, you've talked before about 'slow investment.' How does that work? AL: Initially, we worked with Slow Money Maine, which was founded by Bonnie Rukin and helped entrepre- neurs get networked and find mentors. e goal was creative, patient solu- tions, features that might include no paybacks or interest payments in the first years. at got us on the radar of Coastal Enterprises. We were able to get $600,000 in grant funding. We worked with Somerset Economic Development Corp. and local help. We had help from the Sewall Foundation and Quimby Family Foundation. CEI became an equity investor in 2016. In 2023, we will start paying back investors. MB: You formed Land & Furrow LLC to buy an adjacent parcel and now have plans to redevelop the property. AL: We bought the property next door from Skowhegan Economic Development Corp. and we plan to build two buildings in two phases. e first will include retail and packag- ing operations, as well as offices and a dry-good shop. We'll have a teaching kitchen, social hall and space for the farmers market. e second phase will include space for entrepreneurs and it will have a residential component. Housing is needed now. Skowhegan has a 0.2% vacancy rate. ere's a lack of studio apartments, as well as 1-bed- room and 2-bedroom apartments. P e t e r Va n A l l e n , M a i n e b i z e d i to r, c a n be r e a ch e d a t p vanal l e n @ mainebiz.biz and @ MainebizEditor to a whole new level We're getting ready to take OTELCO.com/ We're getting ready because the It's hard to keep a lid on really good news. OTELCO is changing for the future. We are joining with GoNetspeed which means we can invest even more in fiber expansion. It's the fastest possible internet and this is just the beginning. OUR EMPLOYEE-OWNERS ARE OUR LEADERS. S E B A G O T E C H N I C S . C O M Everything we do is shaping. From land and relationships to careers and communities. We exist to do this work together, with our team, our clients, and with our community. We are all shaping New England, together. PROUD TO BE 100% EMPLOYEE-OWNED CREATIVE ENGINEERING COLLECTIVE MAINE'S The cost of local grain will become more competitive, especially as infrastructure, inflation and supply chain have become issues.