Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 29 J U N E 1 1 , 2 0 1 8 F O C U S S M A L L B U S I N E S S a seafood business he just bought for his dad and cousin. Except for Win Financial Strategies, which he runs as a one-man operation, all are operated by family members and employ up to 18 people combined. "If I see an opportunity for a family member or friend, I will talk to them and see if they're interested," he says. "If they say yes, why not help somebody advance their American dream?" He bought the seafood business by seizing an unexpected possibility, stop- ping by the long-established Fishermen's Net on Forest Avenue and asking the owner if she'd ever consider selling. She initially said no but changed her mind a week later and sold in late April. A grand open- ing is planned around Father's Day, and the long-term plan is to raise and export lobster, starting with Vietnam. Nguyen is also work- ing with Avesta Housing to secure funding for 64 aff ordable housing units next to Le Variety. To other immigrants interested in starting a business, Quang off ers this advice: "If you need help, don't be afraid to ask." C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » S O U R C E : American Immigration Council, "Immigrants in Maine," 2017 WHAT IMMIGRATION MEANS TO MAINE StartSmart at CEI has helped more than 1,500 new Americans from 90 countries start or expand businesses in Maine. S TA R T S M A R T @ C E I M A I N E . O R G New Ventures Maine offers free classes and workshops on topics from starting a business to money management. W W W. N E W V E N T U R E S M A I N E . O R G The New Mainers Resource Center is a Portland Adult Education Program serving immigrants, refugees and employers. W W W. N M R C . O R G The Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center aims to be a business hub for the region's immigrant community. It also offers English language learning. W W W. W E L C O M E I M M I G R A N T. O R G Portland's Business Assistance Program for Job Creation offers grants to new and expanding businesses for projects that result in the creation of permanent net new jobs. The city's Revolving Loan Program (RLP) provides commercial loans to Portland businesses to facilitate economic growth and job creation. W W W. P O R T L A N D M A I N E . G OV cPort Credit Union (W W W. C P O R T C U. O R G ) and Infi nity Federal Credit Union (W W W. I N F I N I T Y F C U. C O M ) offer citizenship loans and fi nancial support to small businesses. Both have worked with new Mainer entrepreneurs. RESOURCES FOR ASPIRING AND ESTABLISHED ENTREPRENEURS 3% 4% 25% 44,694 immigrants make up 3% of Maine's population More than 2% of self-employed business owners in Maine are immigrants $48,000,000 in total annual revenue are generated by these immigrant-owned businesses Nearly 4% of workers in the Maine labor force are immigrants. More than 25% of workers in Maine's mining, quarry, oil, and gas extract industry are immigrants. CITY OF BANGOR To hear more, please reach out to us. You'll like what we have to say! comm.dev@bangormaine.gov 207.992.4280 www.bangormaine.gov Every year the Bangor region's colleges and universities graduate over 3,000 potential employees for YOUR business. If workforce development is a challenge & priority for your organization, come see what the Bangor region can provide you and your workforce — a great quality of life, incredible parks, arts and culture, and affordable real estate make Bangor a great place to locate your business. What do the number 3,000 and the Bangor region have in common?

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