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The Maine Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at CEI |
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Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC) are dedicated to helping
Maine's small businesses succeed by engaging in development activities that
contribute to the improvement of the economic climate for and the success of
micro and small businesses throughout the State of Maine. Its focus is to
assist in the creation of and the maintenance of viable micro and small businesses
and the jobs these businesses provide. The Maine SBDC hosted by CEI serves Kennebec,
Summerset, Lincoln, Sagadahoc,
Knox, Waldo, and Northern Cumberland counties through
its four regional offices (Augusta,
Bath, Fairfield,
and Wiscasset) along with meetings by appointment in Rockland,
Belfast, and Skowhegan. The Maine
SBDC is a partnership program of the United States Small Business
Administration (SBA) through support given by the SBA/SBDC, Maine Department of
Economic and Community Development (DECD), the University of Southern Maine
(USM) and CEI.
Business Counseling Services
One-on-one management assistance is provided at no cost-to-client, to potential
and existing business owners and managers. Maine SBDC Counselors are qualified
business people with diverse educational and business experience. They provide
assistance in the following areas: business start-up/acquisition, sources of
credit and financing, marketing and sales, market research, government
procurement, accounting, record keeping and cash flow analysis, operations,
personnel management, loan packaging, business liquidation/sale, international
trade, and various other business issues.
Training Programs
The Maine SBDC offers training seminars and conferences on business-related
topics. Training events are held at key locations around the state; minimal
fees are sometimes charged. Programs are geared to local and regional needs as
well as to fundamental business subjects.
Research and Information
Maine SBDC Counselors can aid access to information, resources, technology,
markets, and research that assists business owners in the profitable operation
of their businesses.
The support given to the Maine SBDC at CEI by the
fore-mentioned organizations through funding or otherwise does not constitute
an expressed or implied endorsement of any co-sponsors' or participants'
opinions, products or services. All Maine SBDC programs are equal opportunity
events. Locations are handicap accessible.
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AM Wood Designs LLC - Finding the Right Help |
In Bingham, Maine, population 856, the forest products industry used to
be the major source of employment. But over the past two decades, the
community has seen jobs go oversees or vanish altogether. When Richard
Casey lost his job, he wanted to stay in Bingham, his home for
twenty-five years. 
In 2000, when he began looking for funds to start his own unfinished
pine furniture company, CEI was there to help pull together a loan
package with local banks and other economic development agencies.Casey
converted a vacant mill into a manufacturing plant, purchased equipment
and began operating. Later, when AM Wood Designs began to struggle with
low margins and inefficient production, CEI's PACT project helped pay
for extensive training in lean manufacturing. The training helped Casey
realize he'd have to remake the company in order to survive.
The Maine Small Business Development Center at CEI helped
Casey plan for change and better his chances of finding an investor. It
took three years, some hard choices, and the efforts of many, but AM
Wood Designs is turning around. Casey found Anania and Associates which
made major investments in operations and marketing. They dropped
unprofitable lines, added higher margin products, and are doing more
with the same number of employees. Now AM Wood Designs boasts a line of
charming cedar gazebos.
"Without PACT and CEI, we wouldn't be here", says Casey. At
every turn, CEI was there with the right resources - capital, training
grants, and management assistance.
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Philosophy and Programs 
Maine Legislature Passes Model Anti-Predatory Lending Bill.