CEI Stories

Serving & supporting small business owners just like you.

November 12, 2018

Maine Grain Tastemakers Tour

On a hot September day in Bangor, a few dozen investors, educators, business leaders and farmers, hosted by CEI, FocusMaine, and O’Maine Studios, boarded a charter bus for a tour around the state designed to bring attention to Maine’s grain industry. Participants traveled 481 miles over the course of two days to better understand the economic connections and opportunities rural Maine has to offer – from farms to mills, malthouses, breweries, bakeries and food businesses.

**The Maine Crisp Co.| Waterville**
“It’s our responsibility to work with farmers and keep it local. We need to embrace and support entrepreneurs.”
-Steve Getz, co-owner

**University of Maine at Presque Isle, Sustainable Agriculture concentration**

**Maine Grains | Skowhegan**
“Our attitude shifted from, ‘Can we grow grains?’ to ‘How do we reinvigorate this industry?'”
-Amber Lambke, owner
Read the full story.

**Bigelow Brewing | Skowhegan**
“I really believe that when you buy local, you’re helping your whole community.”
-Pam Powers, co-owner

**Blue Ox Malthouse | Lisbon Falls**
“Maine has the potential to supply the entire east coast with locally produced grain.”
-Joel Alex, owner
Read the full story.

Watch the video recap here!

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Summit Learning Center: Child Care Built with Intention

"Long before Summit Learning Center opened its doors, Megan Snow and Coley Stetler had spent years working inside Maine’s education system. They'd seen…"

Read Story

Building a Generational Business Through Weatherization

"Before he ran Quoddy Spray Foam in Washington County, Matt Dana spent more than two decades in public service. A Passamaquoddy tribal member…"

Read Story

Piecing Together Success

"It's been five years since we last sat down with Cathy Roberts, founder of Pieceworks, Inc. in Montville, Maine. We visited her custom…"

Read Story