Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1506076
V O L . X X I X N O. X I X 28 Fact Book / Doing Business in Maine Q UA L I T Y O F L I F E INSIDER'S TIP NO. 2: "Even though the Greater Bangor area has a popula- tion of over 150,000, the area is still a small town and personal relation- ships carry a lot of weight," says Ash- ley Briggs, owner of Briggs Solutions for Business and the Rize CoWorking & Collaboration space. Presque Isle Northern exposure LOCAL RESOURCE: Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce COWORKING: Ignite Presque Isle W H E R E T O G R A B C O F F E E O R T E A : HUB Coffee, Fuel ME, Bubble Tea Café NETWORKING: Chamber events, Momen- tum Aroostook L I VA B I L I T Y P L U S E S : ATV and snow- mobile trails, college town (University of Maine at Presque Isle, Northern Maine Community College), Crown of Maine Balloon Festival INSIDER'S TIP: "Presque Isle is called the hub of Aroostook for so many reasons, there is truly something for everyone," says LaNiece Sirois, executive direc- tor of the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce. She recommends creat- ing a trip to the area around an event, many of which are listed on the cham- ber's website. Auburn & Lewison Twin-city mojo LOCAL RESOURCE: Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce COWORKING: MUNKA Coworking and Co-Lab Create in Lewiston WHERE TO GRAB A BEER: Baxter Brew- ing in Lewiston, Side By Each Brewing Co. in Auburn NETWORKING: Chamber events, Third Place events L I VA B I L I T Y P L U S E S : Vibrant immi- grant community, Bates College, historic mill redevelopment, Lewiston Riverfest and Public Theatre, annual Auburn Lob- ster Festival INSIDER'S TIP: "Auburn has been and is currently a very entrepreneurial city," says Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque, pointing to the city's 50% discount on permit fees for veterans and grants for neighborhood grocery stores, agriculture startups, retail businesses and building facade improvements. "Combined with our aggressive gifting of city-owned land for development, and you have all the ingredients ready to start or expand an operation in Auburn." » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Building on our promise Design-Build / Engineering General Contracting Construction Management Sukeforth Family Sports Center Thomas College, Waterville Maine PO Box 359 — 33 Sheridan Drive — Fairfield, ME 04937 W W W. S H E R I DA N C O R P. C O M / 2 0 7. 4 5 3 . 9 3 1 1 P ROV I D E D P H O T O P ROV I D E D P H O T O Ashley Briggs LaNiece Sirois Jason Levesque P H O T O / C I T Y O F P R E S Q U E I S L E FA C E BO O K Presque Isle, in northern Aroostook County, abounds with outdoor recreation possibilities and hosts the Crown of Maine Balloon Festival every August. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY