Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 13 S E P T E M B E R 1 6 , 2 0 2 4 F O C U S A U G U S TA / WAT E R V I L L E / C E N T R A L M A I N E Tiny house e center then collaborated with Manchester- based Kennebec Cabin Co. — which produces the renovation reality TV show "Maine Cabin Masters" — to build a tiny home in a building shell provided by OpBox, a Woolwich maker of modular struc- tures. More than two dozen additional businesses contributed to the project. Called "Making Home Possible," it resulted in Maine's first tiny home on wheels for homeless youth. e project was featured on Season 10, Episode 13 of "Maine Cabin Masters." Making Home Possible's broader mission is to tackle the lack of affordable housing and the lack of a homeless shelter or youth center in Franklin County; and to provide internships, mentoring and work opportunities. "It was an easy cause to get involved with," says Chase Morrill, co-founder of Kennebec Cabin and a "Maine Cabin Masters" star. Morrill recalls his team's introduction to CES at a local parade. "ey had a trailer frame ready to go and wanted to show the community," he says. It was a cold, drizzly November day. But Morrill recalls smiling faces: "Everyone had their earmuffs on, displaying positive vibes and big smiles proudly showing off the new trailer frame that would even- tually become the first tiny home." Afterward, the cabin masters checked out CES's store and the students' craftsmanship. "e opportunity for learning, hands-on real- life skills, and being a contributing member of the community is key to helping Maine's younger gen- eration thrive and build a successful life in this great state," Morrill says. Campus plans In 2022, CES acquired an owner-financed, six-acre campus at 165 Whittier Road in Farmington to design a campus that builds on initial successes by expanding into agriculture, culinary education and home manufacturing. e campus is just under a mile from the local high school. "is will provide easy access for students to work and be paid in roles that align with their interests and strengths, accommodating their school schedules," says Tompkins. is year, the center received the donation of another five acres on Temple Road in Farmington from a local businessman, Michael Emmons. e vision for the locations is to serve as the pri- mary sites for providing internships and entrepreneur- ial opportunities for youth in Franklin County. At Whittier Road, with the help of volunteers, ini- tial installations include a fire pit and patio, a perennial garden, raised garden beds, prepared land and the tiny home. Planning is in the works to build facilities for a commercial test kitchen and café, a garden center and greenhouses, and retail operations; for manufacturing and technology; and for ancillary spaces such as partici- pant housing, events and training. at includes creating multiple accessible paid internships where youth can develop skills and build the workforce and business economy. SALES@WAREBUTLER.COM Ware-Butler will supply products to earthwork and concrete jobs, roads/ bridges/construction jobs, grow businesses, storage units, livestock farms, health centers and commercial buildings of all types, infrastructure projects such as sand-salt sheds and municipal buildings, etc. WAREBUTLER.COM CONTACT US for your non-residential and commercial construction needs statewide in Maine. Put our statewide buying power and experienced sales team to work for you! Fabric / Pipe / Culverts / Styrofoam insulation / Construction lumber Sheet goods / Millwork / Metal roofing and siding products PRODUCTS OFFERED: AND MORE! C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E »

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