Coastal Enterprises - Women Business Loans

CEI targets loan funds to start-up and existing women owned businesses in Maine, and as of December, 2004, has provided $33 million in financing to over 700 small businesses partly or wholly owned by women. The application is the same as our general loan application.

For those who would like help with business planning, someone to be a sounding board or general advice, the Women's Business Center at CEI (WBC) is available. WBC staff can help you develop a business plan and put together a loan application package for CEI or bank lenders.

CEI IN THE NEWS!

Governor's Task Force on the Economic Sustainability of Maine's Lobster Industry: One of the vulnerabilities revealed by the recent global economic crisis has been the viability of traditional lobstering practices in Maine. To combat the loss of such a culturally and economically important industry, Governor Baldacci established the Governor's Task Force on the Economic Sustainability of Maine's Lobster Industry to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to ensure the prosperity and long-term sustainability of the Maine lobster industry. Click on below links to read more.
Bangor Daily Ellsworth American FIS

Bangor Savings Bank and CEI offer low-interest loans to small and medium-sized enterprises in disadvantaged areas in Maine. Read more here.

Farms for the Future PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS, click here.

TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE INVESTING

» Learn more here!

Maine Women Business Owners Online Directory

Visit the Maine Women's Business Owners Online Directory to meet other women business owners in the State of Maine and to promote your products and services on the Internet.
http://www.wbcmaine.org/

Working Together in the Western Mountains

Eileen Miazga owns EJ's Market in Strong, Maine, 11 miles north of Farmington. Started 18 years ago, EJ's was the local community's neighborhood store until the arrival of big box" national chain stores in Farmington threatened its arrival. Eileen turned to the Women's Business Center (WBC) at CEI in Farmington for help to get her business back on track. With the help of a WBC counselor, Eileen was able to refinance loans, cut costs, and reinvigorate the store's image. With five employees, EJ's Market is now expanding, and has just added a new line of natural foods, along with other groceries, meats, and fresh produce.

EJ's Market is one example of CEI's growing role in Maine's Western Mountains region, where CEI is part of the Western Mountains Sustainable Development Collaborative. The Collaborative is helping build a stronger regional identity and plant the seeds for a brighter economic future in Franklin, Oxford, Somerset, and Piscataquis Counties. CEI's role is to make loans to small businesses and invest in community facilities and services that contribute to a healthy economy.