BUSINESS RESOURCES

Labor Law Focus Group

The Maine Department of Labor is collaborating with the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) to conduct a series of focus groups with local businesses. This initiative aims to assist the Department in creating a detailed guidance manual on Maine's labor laws. The manual will be a free, publicly available resource that helps employers grasp their legal responsibilities. Furthermore, the Wage and Hour Inspectors from the Maine Department of Labor, who oversee compliance with employment laws, will also utilize the guidance materials produced from this effort in their daily activities.

Join us in celebrating over a decade of serving Veterans across Maine with the 2024 Maine’s Hire-A-Vet Campaign! Our dedicated Planning Committee is already working hard to ensure another successful campaign. Whether you're an employer or a job seeker, we invite you to participate in our upcoming events. All job seekers are welcome!

• November 22, 2024, | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | York County Community College: Inside Hiring Event – REGISTRATION OPENS October 18, 2024

Date and Time: Thursday, November 7^th, 11 AM-12:30 PM

Location: Jeff's Catering & Event Center, 15 Eventcenter Way Brewer, ME 04412

Buying or Selling Your Business

Are you interested in purchasing a business or do you have one that you’re considering selling? If that’s the case, this may be a new adventure for you, and navigating the current economic unpredictability can make it feel even more challenging. While advisors can provide assistance, remember that it’s ultimately your own time, money, and effort on the line.

Date and Time: November 19^th, 6 PM
Location: Cloudport - 63 Federal St, Portland, ME 04101

Starting Your Own Business

Have you ever fantasized about starting your own business? Now is the perfect opportunity to turn that dream into a reality! Join us for an engaging webinar where you’ll learn the key principles of launching a thriving business. There's no need to go through this journey by yourself; we'll also connect you with a free SCORE Mentor who will provide essential guidance to help you succeed.

Date and Time: November 13^th, 12 PM
Location: Online

Work for Yourself @50+ (Online)

Are you over 50 and seeking to enhance your financial situation? Starting your own business can feel both thrilling and intimidating. Work for Yourself@50+ provides the essential information you need to thrive. This 90-minute workshop led by our expert staff will equip you with the knowledge, support, and resources necessary for making well-informed decisions about self-employment and taking the right initial steps toward a successful business venture.

Date and Time: November 13^th, 10 AM- 11:30 AM

Cash Flow Management & Making Your Business Bankable

In "Cash Flow Management Success: Framework to Know Your Numbers," you'll explore strategies for effectively managing your business's cash flow. Discover how to monitor your income and expenses, develop cash flow forecasts, and ensure financial stability.

Next, in "Making Your Business Bankable: Prepare to Attract Investors and Lenders," you'll learn the essential steps to enhance your business's appeal to potential investors and lenders. Find out how to prepare financial statements, present your business effectively, and obtain funding.

Date and Time: November 7^th, 2 PM- 5 PM

Develop Your Cash Flow Projection

This 90-minute workshop will provide you with the skills and insights needed to develop a 12-month cash flow projection for your business. Understanding future cash flow is crucial for any business, and this workshop will walk you through the entire process. You'll use a one-page spreadsheet supplied by SCORE, and even if you don't have precise numbers for your monthly income and expenses, feel free to use estimates. Expert Whit Ford will be available to guide you through the spreadsheet and address any questions you may have as you work on your cash flow!

Date and Time: November 12^th, 10 AM
Location: Online

Child Care Toolkit for Employers

The Office of Child and Family Services at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Coastal Enterprises, Inc (CEI), and The Best Place for Working Parents® have joined forces to create a resource guide. This guide offers practical examples and options to employers who are prepared to address the childcare needs of their employees. It presents a variety of solutions tailored to meet employers at their current stage, empowering them to take the next step that aligns best with their organization.

EDUCATIONAL NETWORKING

Maine Outdoor Economy Summit

The Maine Outdoor Economy Summit serves as a platform for professional growth, idea sharing, and in-depth conversations about key issues affecting the state's outdoor industry, particularly in the realms of economic development, workforce, access, and equity.

**Who should attend? ** Leaders from the outdoor industry, including business owners, community partners, policymakers, educators, economic developers, and youth leaders.

Why attend?

• Network with fellow industry leaders
• Explore current topics and trends
• Exchange ideas and find inspiration

This event offers an opportunity to forge new partnerships, reconnect with familiar faces, and underscore the vital role outdoor recreation plays in Maine's economy and its profound connection to the health and well-being of our communities.

Date: November 13-15
Location: Sunday River

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

MERIT - The Maine Retirement Investment Trust - is off to a strong start.  Over 10,600 Maine workers have combined to save $6 million for their retirement since the start of the Program. All Maine employers with five or more employees should now be registered with MERIT and facilitating payroll contributions for their employees.  Employers who have not yet registered with MERIT must take action by December 31, 2024, to be fully compliant and avoid enforcement penalties.  Employers can register at meritsaves.com

STEP Financial Assistance Awards

The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant, run by the U.S. Small Business Administration, offers funding aimed at boosting the number of businesses engaged in exporting. Managed by the Maine International Trade Center (MITC), the goal of the STEP Financial Assistance Award is to motivate Maine companies to pursue new international sales by providing financial support for the expenses linked to their export growth efforts.

First Application Window: November 18 – December 13, 2024 Activity Period for Projects: February 1 – June 30, 2025 Award Notifications: January 15, 2025 Award Amounts: $5,000 minimum to $10,000 maximum

City of Portland Announces New Round of Job Creation Grants

The City of Portland's Business Assistance Program for Job Creation (BAP) offers reimbursement-based matching grants of up to $20,000 to new and expanding for-profit businesses in Portland. This funding is aimed at creating new full-time and part-time jobs for low/moderate income individuals. The program provides $10,000 per full-time job and $5,000 per part-time job. BAP is supported by the City of Portland's Community Development Block Grant. It's important to note that NET NEW jobs are those that didn't exist at the time of application to this program, and do not include jobs that became available due to an employee leaving or being let go.

The Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Program has updated their webpage to include a one-page explainer on what employers need to know ahead of January 2025. In addition, a PFML employee labor poster that provides important information about the program is available online. This information can be found under the employer resources tab.

Virtual Workshop: Choosing a Retirement Solution for Your Small Business

Join the virtual presentation featuring Mario Erisnord from the USDOL's Employee Benefits Security Administration on November 14, 2024, from 8:00 to 9:30 am. This event is organized by the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce, and the Springvale CareerCenter. The presentation will cover valuable information about retirement plans and the key factors to consider when selecting one for your business. Registered participants will receive a Zoom link closer to the event. For further details, please contact Marcella.J.Spruce@maine.gov.

UPCOMING TRAINING AND EVENTS

Business Basics (Online)

This three-week course (consisting of three 90-minute sessions) is designed for individuals considering or currently in the initial stages of starting a new business. Our experienced staff will assist you in evaluating the feasibility, desirability, and viability of your business idea, as well as help you get started on your business plan.

Topics covered include:

• What it means to be a business owner
• Structure of a business plan
• Crafting a mission statement
• Marketing and pricing strategies
• Recordkeeping essentials
• Cash flow planning

Class meeting dates are as follows:

• Tuesday, November 5
• Tuesday, November 12
• Tuesday, November 19

(3 sessions total)

Date and Time: November 5^th, 10 AM-11:30 AM

Startup Automations and Pulling It All Together

In the session titled Startup Automations: Work Smarter, Not Harder, you will discover various tools and technologies designed to automate your business processes. Covering everything from marketing automation to customer relationship management, you will learn how to optimize operations and save time. Following that, in Pulling it All Together: A Forum for Advice, Tips & Tools, you'll consolidate all the knowledge you've gained into a comprehensive business plan. This session offers practical advice, tools, and resources from business advisors and service providers to assist you in finalizing your plan and getting ready for launch.

Date and Time: November 14^th, 2 PM-5 PM
Location: Online

Tax Readiness for the Self-Employed (Online)

Discover how to effectively manage your financial records, grasp your tax obligations, become acquainted with tax forms, and confidently file your taxes with guidance from our experienced staff. This one-hour workshop is tailored for sole proprietors.

Topics covered include:

• Different types of taxes and related responsibilities
• Bookkeeping advice
• Completing forms correctly
• Success tips for tax filing

Date and Time: November 7^th, 12PM-1 PM

Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program

The federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit program provides tax credits to businesses who hire Mainers facing serious barriers to employment, such as the long-term unemployed and justice-involved Mainers.  The program incentivizes hiring of populations who often watch from the sidelines while their neighbors thrive in the workforce. For more information, please click here.

CareerCenter Employer Guide

Discover the resources and services offered to support the growth, management, and development of your workforce in Maine.

CONTACT US

Services are available virtually via the CareerCenter hotline: 207-623-7981 | TTY users call Maine Relay 711

If you’d prefer to access services and information in-person, we welcome you to visit a CareerCenter location near you.

Each of the centers across the state provides public computers with internet access, Microsoft Office, resume/cover letter writing software, and O*Net software for personal skills assessment. 

Employers can list their open positions on Maine JobLink and use our online system which matches jobs with candidates. All CareerCenter services are provided at no charge to employers and job seekers. Veterans and eligible spouses receive priority of service in all Department of Labor programs.