W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 27
FA C T BO O K / D O I N G B U S I N E S S I N M A I N E
B U S I N E S S R E S O U R C E S
Looking for business resources in Maine?
Good places to start
T
he Small Business Administration's Small Business Resource Guide for Maine
has been updated to include all the latest programs and contact information.
Marilyn J. Geroux, district director of the SBA's Maine District Office, en-
courages businesses to call the office at 207-622-8551 with any questions.
As we know, small business dominates the landscape in Maine. e SBA of-
fers help for companies in the start-up phase, expansion or transition. In many
cases, the information applies also to larger businesses.
For startups, there are a number of resources: SCORE, the Maine Small
Business Development Centers and the Women's Business Center. Even if you
have owned a business before, the mentors and counselors of the SBA resource
partners can provide you with helpful insight and a fresh perspective — all of
which is free or at nominal cost.
Companies in expansion mode might consider SBA's participating lenders:
banks, credit unions, micro-lenders and certified development companies. e
SBA has developed partnerships with these direct lenders, and they can help
you with your business financing needs, whether you need a $10,000 microloan
or a $5 million term loan.
District Director
Marilyn J. Geroux
207-622-8382
marilyn.geroux@sba.gov
Deputy district director
Diane L. Sturgeon
207-622-8286
diane.sturgeon@sba.gov
Senior area manager, Bangor
James E. Pineau
207-945-2021
james.pineau@sba.gov
Economic development
specialist
Sandra A. Fontaine
207-622-8381
sandra.fontaine@sba.gov
Contacting the SBA
Maine District Office
Edmund S. Muskie Federal Building
68 Sewall Street, Room 512
Augusta, ME
Office hours: Monday – Friday,
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
For program and service information,
contact the marketing division:
207-622-8551
For information on financing,
contact Diane Sturgeon:
207-622-8286
diane.sturgeon@sba.gov
Financial assistance for new or exist-
ing businesses through guaranteed
loans made by area bank and non-
bank lenders. Free counseling, advice
and information on starting, better
operating or expanding a small busi-
ness through SCORE, Small Business
Development Centers (SBDC) and
Women's Business Centers (WBC).
They also conduct training events
throughout the district. Special loan
programs are available for businesses
involved in international trade.
Web resources
Maine district office: www.sba.gov/me
SBA events calendar: www.sba.gov/tools/events
Loan information: www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/loans-grants
Publications, library, resources and forms:
www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/starting-managing-business
SBA classroom: www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/counseling-training
Statistics, reports: www.sba.gov/advo
Maine state profile: www.sba.gov/advo/research/profiles
Business plan outline: www.sba.gov/content/templates-writing-business-plan
Size standards: www.sba.gov/content/small-business-size-regulation
Veterans: www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/ovbd/index.html
Economic development
specialist
William S. Card
207-622-8555
william.card@sba.gov
Program support assistant
Keith E. Lind
207-622-8551
keith.lind@sba.gov
District counsel
Mark S. O'Brien
207-622-8558
mark.obrien@sba.gov
Procurement center
representative
Northern New England
Keith E. Waye
207-622-8554
keith.waye@sba.gov
Women's business
ownership representative
Sandra Fontaine
207-622-8381
sandra.fontaine@sba.gov
Veterans affairs officers
Northern Maine
James Pineau
207-945-2021
james.pineau@sba.gov
Southern Maine
William Card
207-622-8555
william.card@sba.gov
