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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 25 D E C E M B E R 1 , 2 0 2 5 F O C U S B A N K I N G / F I N A N C E / I N S U R A N C E Information, anytime Breanna Stewart was an assistant teacher for Bangor community action agency Penquis; she achieved a child development associate credential and acquired Cubhouse Childcare as an existing business for children age six weeks to five years old. Soon after, she leased a second, nearby location for older children up to age 12. e need for child care in the region is acute, she says. "ere needs to be more centers and more aid from the state to help parents who can't afford it," Stewart says. She was doing an online search for financing to update operations when she came upon EMDC and connected with Hanes. She found him to be instantly responsive. "Over the year and a half since I've taken over, he's helped me a lot with any information, any time I have questions," she says. "He told me about the loan and said, If you're interested I can help you get through this. It was perfect. It was maybe a couple of weeks after that, that the other building was available. So I jumped on it." Attracting investment At Chase Small Craft, Clint Chase found Eddy to be equally responsive and the network's application process easy to work with, including a video- conference with the council's board of directors that was a positive experi- ence. e loans will go toward building construction, including installation of prefabricated shipping containers, plus equipment upgrades. "ey've been great work with," Chase says. For the network, Poole says plans for the future include platform improve- ments and adding more partners and resources, potentially to include those in New England that are looking to do more work in Maine. e network's rewards goes beyond its capabilities for businesses, says FAME's Charlotte Mace. "Because the state of Maine and FAME are taking a leadership role in putting this tool together, it enhances how we're viewed by national and global investors," Mace says. "ey'll see Maine as a state that is organized, with an ecosystem for supporting business that's streamlined and coor- dinated. at helps attract new invest- ment to the state." L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r , M a i n e b i z s e n i o r w r i t e r , c a n b e r e a c h e d a t l s c h r e i b e r @ m a i n e b i z . b i z Alliant Insurance Services, Inc 111 Commercial Street, Suite 401 Portland, ME 04101 CA License No. 0C36861 © 2025 Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. Risk Managed. People Protected. From Madawaska to Kittery, Alliant safeguards what matters most — your people, your assets, and your reputation. Alliant Insurance Services partners with Maine businesses to deliver insurance and risk management strategies that protect performance and drive results. From complex commercial coverage to employee benefits and executive risk solutions, our advisors bring deep industry insight and a data-driven approach to help you manage exposure and strengthen your bottom line. Work with a team that understands your business, your industry, and your goals. Local partnership. National strength. alliant.com P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY Clint Chase, owner of Chase Small Craft, with his Goat Island Skiff model.

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