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V O L . X X X N O. X I V J U N E 2 4 , 2 0 2 4 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 years, to advance its mission through historic preservation, enhanced educational programming and the creation of a framework for financial sustainability. Presque Isle says 'how do you do' to JetBlue Travelers at Presque Isle International Airport will soon fly aboard JetBlue Airways, which has beaten out incum- bent United Airlines for a feder- ally subsidized contract to serve the Aroostook County city. United has provided the only commercial flights at Presque Isle since 2018, shuttling twice a day between PQI and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. e air service is under- written by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Essential Air Service program, and contracts go up for bid every two years. In early June, the DOT issued an order awarding JetBlue the next contract, which begins Sept. 1 and runs to Aug. 31, 2026. N O T E W O R T H Y N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N Ignite PI, in collaboration with SAD 1 Adult & Community Education, an- nounced that it received a $400,000 Strengthening Maine's Workforce Grant from the Maine Department of Education to enhance hospitality train- ing within the community. The Bangor Symphony Orchestra an- nounced the renewal of Music Director Lucas Richman's contract through June 2029, marking a continuation of his 14-year tenure with the orchestra. SP ONSORED BY Are you losing sleep over the key challenges facing your small business? Unlock success by navigating the top concerns for small businesses at the Mainebiz Small Business Forum. Join us for an insightful event where we tackle the top 5 issues that keep entrepreneurs up at night. 1. Scaling Your Business 2. Tech Trends and AI 3. Automation and Customer Engagement 4. HR Innovations 5. Workforce Challenges 7:30–10 :30AM / HILTON GARDEN INN FREEPORT DOWNTOWN WEDN E SDAY, AU G U S T 7 PANELISTS Dottie Chalmers: Chalmers Insurance Ben Davis: OpBox Matt McGrath: Systems Engineering Matthew O'Malia: TimberHP MODERATOR Diane L. Sturgeon: Maine District Office Office of Field Operations U.S. Small Business Administration B R I E F Eight Maine businesses take home SCORE awards B y P e t e r V a n A l l e n E ight Maine businesses were honored by SCORE Maine, a national nonprofit that connects entrepreneurs with mentors to help start and grow their businesses. SCORE is a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration. With chapters in southern, central and north- ern Maine, SCORE Maine has 111 certified mentors. The SCORE mentors helped clients create 360 businesses and 1,652 jobs. This year's awards were presented at a luncheon June 12 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport. More than 130 people attended. Nancy Strojny, SCORE Maine's assistant district director, said SCORE provided 8,503 services to Maine small busi- ness owners and entrepreneurs in 2023. SCORE mentors provide free face-to-face mentoring sessions, as well as virtual sessions with clients. "SCORE leverages the talent of its mentors to deliver an exceptional client experience," said Strojny. The 2024 SCORE awards The businesses that received awards were: Successful Veteran Owned Business: Sheila Foley, founder of Poland Provisions, which provides healthy food, goods and gifts and community space in Poland; Successful Hospitality Business: Adam Woodfin, founder of Rum Runners, a former ambulance turned mobile bar on wheels; Successful Health Care Business: Alain Icoyitungiye, the founder of Urugo Residential Services, offers residential care programs to provide Home Support to developmen- tally delayed and autistic adults in Cumberland County and the greater Portland. Successful Agriculture Business: Kate Hall, founder of Graze, created Graze to address a nutritional deficiency affecting her immune system. Today, the farm grows and produces organic seasonal produce and wheatgrass, har- vested and pressed onsite at the farm's bottle plant pro- cessing kitchen. The juices are offered at farmers' markets and stores around the state. Successful Diverse Business: Alli Harper, founder of OurShelves, a service that curates quarterly deliveries of high-quality diverse children's books that feature racially and ethnically diverse, LGBTQ+, disabled, feminist and other characters and families currently under-represented in kids' books; Successful Woman-Owned Business: Laura Anne Brown, founder of Trove, an artisan boutique and gift shop in downtown Searsport. Inspired by the artistry and beauty of Maine, Trove features a carefully curated collection of one-of-a-kind contemporary and functional handcrafted goods and original art; Successful Innovative Business: Doug Andrews is one of the founders of Burgundar, a Harrison-based LARP Adventure Village. Burgundar is a live-action role-play host site that was featured on "Maine Cabin Masters." Successful Mobile Business: Cynthia Flores, owner of Labor-Movement, a fitness program aimed at farmers and farm workers. "We deeply appreciate our collaboration with SCORE as they provide valuable insight and advice to our MTI portfolio companies as well as other small businesses throughout the state," said Brian Whitney, president of Maine Technology Institute, a sponsor of the awards. N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y, S C O R E M A I N E Kate Hall, right, founder of Graze, won SCORE's Successful Agriculture Business award. She is pictured with her mentor, Nancy Strojny, assistant district director of SCORE Maine.

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