Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 15 M AY 1 3 , 2 0 2 4 F O C U S S M A L L B U S I N E S S Find a credit union near you at mainecreditunions.org A financial partner that understands you. Unlock your business potential with tailored financial solutions from a Maine credit union. We understand the challenges you face every day. Our expert staff, advanced technology, and community focus make us the perfect partner for your small business. Join today and let's build a brighter future for your business, together. There are roughly 149,000 small businesses with under 500 employees in Maine. More than $36 million was deployed to help start and grow Maine businesses. Almost 2,300 entrepreneurs and small business owners turned to the Maine Small Business Development Centers, up almost 50% from pre- pandemic times. Despite the challenges of the last few years, business owners remain optimistic. Each Maine Small Business Development Center employs 12 to 14 advisors. Maine SBDC business advisors provided guidance to 2,289 clients, through 8,698 hours of advising. More than 140 new businesses started with the help of the Maine SBDC, higher than in any of the previous 10 years. An independent study of return on investment, by James Chrisman at Mississippi State University, showed that for every dollar invested in Maine SBDC, $3.29 was returned in incremental tax revenue. S O U R C E : Maine Small Business Development Centers SBDC AT A GLANCE IN 2023 Entrepreneurial spirit The Small Business Development Centers play a vital role in the startup infrastructure. As a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the SBDC offers professional, individualized business advising and technical assistance to existing small businesses and entrepreneurs. There are nearly two dozen SBDC offices in Maine, from York to Fort Kent.

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