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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.
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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/
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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.
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Finance Your Business 
Maine Legislature Passes Model Anti-Predatory Lending Bill.