Portland SCORE's Writing a Business Plan Workshop

Tuesday, December 18  Time: 2:00pm-5:00pm  Location: 2nd Floor, 100 Middle St., Portland

Learn what should go into a business plan, the resources available to develop and support the plan, and how to prepare the necessary financial forecasting documents. Sponsored and presented by the Portland Chapter of SCORE, counselors to America's small business.

For more information or to register contact 207-772-1147 or info@scoremaine.com

Blackstone Accelerates Growth Pitch and Q&A

Thursday, December 20  Time: 3:00pm-5:00pm  Location: Eastern Maine Development Corporation, 40 Harlow St. Bangor

Join Blackstone Accelerates Growth Executive Director John Voltz for an open and engaging "Pitch and Q&A" forum for start-ups and entrepreneurs. Learn how to accelerate the growth of your company! Sponsored and presented by Blackstone Accelerates Growth. This event is free of charge.

For more information contact engage@blackstonegrowth.com

Pricing Products and Services for Profit

Thursday, December 20  Time: 9:00am-12:00pm  Location: University of Maine Cooperative Extension, 28 Center St., Machias

One key to business success is setting a profitable price for your product or service. This workshop will help business owners of start-up or existing businesses better understand how to price their products and services and improve their bottom lines. This workshop will provide you with information on how to calculate the profitable price for your product or service, and address how price influences business decisions. Topics covered during the workshop include: key elements of pricing, understanding your costs, and methods of pricing. Practical case studies will be used to demonstrate various pricing methods. Sponsored and presented by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. This event is free of charge.

For more information or to register contact 207-255-3345 or tara.a.wood@maine.edu

Small Business Award Nominations

If you are working with (or for) a small business, or small business champion that deserves recognition, please call Diane Sturgeon at 207-622-8286, or e-mail Diane at diane.sturgeon@sba.gov to discuss nominating that business for one of our Small Business Awards.

Additional information about nominations can be found at: http://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/2013%20Award%20Categories%20&%20Nomination%20Packet%20Requirements.pdf.  Nominations are due January 3, but are welcome anytime.

SBA Maine District Office Staff Directory

Whether you are a lender, small business owner or new entrepreneur, we would be delighted to hear from you.  Please call or e-mail us whenever we can be of service to you.  Our staff includes:  

District Director, Maurice L. Dube, 207-622-8383  maurice.dube@sba.gov

Deputy District Director, Marilyn J. Geroux, 207-622-8382  marilyn.geroux@sba.gov

Lender Relations Specialist, Diane Sturgeon, 207-622-8286  diane.sturgeon@sba.gov

Economic Development Specialist, William S. Card, 207-622-8555  william.card@sba.gov

Economic Development Specialist, Sandra A. Fontaine, 207-622-8381  sandra.fontaine@sba.gov

Senior Area Manager -- Portland, Alden R. Turner, 207-592-5322  alden.turner@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

U.S. Small Business Administration, Maine District Office

68 Sewall Street, Room 512, Augusta, ME 04330

207-622-8551 (phone) 207-622-8277 (Fax)

www.sba.gov/me

Date: 12/17/2012