Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 25 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 small businesses — up almost 50% from pre-pandemic years. It helped 220 clients access nearly $36.4 million. Maine SBDC is part of the national SBDC network, and is a program of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Since its establish- ment as a pilot program in 1976, the national network has grown to nearly 1,000 centers throughout the nation. In 1977, Maine was one of the first SBDCs to be funded. In recent years, there's been "a small business boom" nationally and in Maine, says Mark Delisle, Maine SBDC's state director. "We had one of the highest num- ber of business starts in 2023," he says, adding: "I think the pandemic caused a lot of people to rethink things. Some people lost jobs. A lot of us got into a hybrid work environment. Many have that entrepreneurship drive and wanted to start something new." Escalating interest rates and work- force shortages haven't slowed the Maine boom, thanks to bootstrapping entrepreneurs and to legacy businesses finding buyers, says Delisle. Maine SBDC has parallel chal- lenges. It's recruiting for several positions to get back to full staffing. Federal pandemic funding for the SBDC network has expired. Still, SBDC's work during the pandemic made it more visible to more clients. "e cat's out of the bag," says Delisle. Waffle nirvana At Peace Love Waffles, Begley credits Riley for the idea, name, menu and res- taurant set-up. She wanted an efficient, all-electric operation. "She wanted to do breakfast, and waffles kept coming up," Begley recalls. "All of a sudden, she had 20 different waffles. Now we have over 30." SBDC connected Begley with Coastal Enterprises Inc. and Eastern Maine Development Corp. e two nonprofits provided 30-year loans of $190,000 to buy the real estate and $50,000 for the business. 207-282-1748 smfamaine.org www.mced.biz/events May 16, 2024 Ambromson Center, USM Elevate your Network | Empower your Journey! JOIN US as we gather the brightest minds, innovative thinkers, and passionate creators for a day of inspiration, collaboration and growth! Hosted by: Elevate your Network | Empower your Journey! Last chance to register! S O U R C E : Maine SBDC 2023 CLIENT ENTREPRENEUR DEMOGRAPHICS Women Age 35 or younger Rural Non-white and Hispanic Entrepreneurs with low-to- moderate income Entrepreneurs with disabilities Veterans and military- connected We had one of the highest number of business starts in 2023. — Mark Delisle Maine SBDC C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » P ROV I D E D P H O T O / M A I N E S B D C Mark Delisle, Maine SBDC's state director, says in recent years, there's been "a small business boom" nationally and in Maine. 53% 10% 14% 34% 8% 29% 7%

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