GROWING MAINE FROM WITHIN: The Small Business Initiative

Update from the Augusta Small Business Forum

Tuesday, September 21, University of Maine, Augusta

About a dozen business people attended the first forum at the University of Maine, Augusta, in the new Student Center.

Paul Wade, owner of The Cat Hospital and The Cat's Inn in Manchester, said the most important item on the Action Plan was a small item near the bottom - one calling for more seed capital for small businesses.

He said state and private agencies often provide money to large companies to help them preserve jobs in industries that are dying, while starting small companies with great potential are not able to get loans.

Russ Evans, of Evans Consulting, a computer consulting firm in Mount Vernon, said he found the state is doing a good job of providing a one-stop source for information with an 800 number. He said when he has called for answers, he has found the staff knowledgeable and helpful.

Tom Davis, who owns Are You Ready to Party in Waterville, said he was concerned about the lack of affordable liability insurance in Maine. He said he called 32 carriers and only two offered a product in Maine.

Others present expressed interest in the possibility of a business court, as outlined in the Action Plan and Beth Evans, of Evans Consulting, said she would like to see work done to help small businesses in Maine to access state contracts.

There was some discussion of the Dirigo Health plan, and whether it will meet the needs of small businesses.

Other business owners and leaders attending the breakfast were: Jack Six, of the University of Maine at Augusta; Gary Violette, of Central Maine Drywall in Manchester; David Clough, Enterprise Policy Group in Portland; Beth Evans, of The Evans Group in Mt. Vernon; Jay Hoffman, of the University of Maine at Augusta; Elery Keene, a retired part-time consultant from Winslow; Grace Leonard, of UMA; and Tracy Quadro, of Community Mediation Services, Augusta; and John Finnegan, part owner of Macomber, Farr and Whitten Insurance in Augusta, and a faculty member at the University of Maine, Augusta. Finnegan also served as the local business co-host.

Other legislators in attendance were Rep. Scott Cowger, D-Hallowell, a member of the Working Group, and Reps. Ed Finch, D-Fairfield, and Judd Thompson, D-China.