|
|
|
Loans and Investments that Meet the CEI Mission |
|
|
|
 CEI's mission guides our loan and investment decision-making. That is, we loan or invest in businesses that economically contribute to the community, that offer livable wages to employees or ownership opportunities to the borrower, and are environmentally responsible. We call this 3E investing. Click here for a full description of CEI's 3E investing profile. Economy: Generates a viable financial return, either by maintaining or creating profits, return on investment or a tangible asset.
Equity: Provides an opportunity for disadvantaged groups to access information, housing, financial resources, or livelihoods/employment.
All of our financing activity is measured by the social impact of each project. For example, we are interested in projects that, with CEI financing, will lead to positive change for the borrower, particularly people with low incomes, disabilities or limited resources; women or minority-owned businesses; and veterans and the disabled. Other examples include supporting refugee or immigrant entrepreneurs, and projects that will help those unemployed, or seasonally employed, gain full-time self- employment.
 We are interested in the employment potential of each loan or investment and we ask our borrowers to work with CEI staff to open new job opportunities to those who are in need of employment. For example, we look to invest in businesses that plan to hire new employees in "quality jobs" (benefits, a living wage, healthy and safe working conditions, opportunities for growth and advancement); that hire low-income workers in "quality jobs"; that hire disabled workers in a supported employment program; that hire participants from CEI's special projects and/or training systems, train/hire/apprentice local youth, or improve part-time or seasonal positions to full-time or year-round employment; or businesses that operate community facilities, such as child care or assisted living centers that serve low-income people.
Environment: Results in a positive impact on the natural environment by reducing energy use, waste, pollution or material use, or by improving stewardship of natural resources.
CEI is committed to helping businesses succeed while preserving the quality of Maine's environment. We encourage all of our borrowers to identify the environmental aspects of their businesses, and to work with us in developing practices that benefit both the environment and the company's bottom line. We have a strong interest in financing businesses that generate products, provide services, and/or develop processes for the farms, forestry or fishery industries, and who follow environmentally sustainable best practices. span>
|
|
|
ForesTrade – Strong Values and a Healthy Bottom Line |
In August of 2002, Sylvia Blanchet and Thomas Fricke were in
Johannesburg, South Africa accepting the World Summit Business Award
for Sustainable Development Partnerships. They were there on behalf of
their company, ForesTrade, which markets organic and fair trade
coffees, spices and essential oils to leading consumer goods companies
like Ben & Jerry's, Stoneyfield Farm and Green Mountain Coffee
Roasters. ForesTrade ensures that farmers in developing countries like
Indonesia and Guatemala are paid a premium price for their products. In
exchange, the farmers agree not to poach rainforest preserves, to
follow sustainable development practices and to avoid chemical
pesticides and fertilizers. In Johannesburg, Blanchet and Fricke met a
fellow American, Ron Phillips, who introduced himself as the President
of a CDC in Maine. He left an impression on the two entrepreneurs.
One year and thousands of miles later, Blanchet and Fricke
decided to reorganize the company's financial position and started
looking for resources to do it. They found CEI Community Ventures,
Inc., one of CEI's two for-profit venture capital subsidiaries, and
made the connection back to the man in South Africa. As an SBA New
Markets Venture Capital Fund, CCVI was able to provide $20,000 to
ForesTrade to develop a business plan that reflected the growing
complexity of the company, which now operates on four continents with
25 products. CCVI connected ForesTrade with Headwaters Strategy, a
consulting group, who created the sophisticated financial analysis
tools needed to manage growth and attract investors. With the plan,
ForesTrade was able to borrow more than $5 million to finance its
growth.
Now ForesTrade can continue its work as a socially responsible
importer from a stronger financial position, supporting farmers,
biodiversity, and local culture for a healthy bottom line.
|
|
Finance Your Business 
Maine Legislature Passes Model Anti-Predatory Lending Bill.