(BRUNSWICK– November 12, 2019) – Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI) is the recipient of a $300,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation to expand its financing and advice for diverse small business owners in rural Maine. CEI is one of 18 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) nation-wide participating in the Wells Fargo Diverse Community Capital (DCC) program, which helps diverse entrepreneurs grow.
News
Federal Government Awards CEI $400,000 to Incubate Child Care Businesses in Rural Maine
September 30, 2019 – Brunswick, Maine – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Community and Economic Development (CED) program today awarded $400,000 to CEI for the first year of a five-year initiative to expand access to child care in rural Maine’s economically distressed “Rim Counties,” where there are a limited number of child care providers. The discretionary award, which includes funds that CEI will deploy as loans, will support the startup and operation of new child care enterprises. In the first year of the initiative, CEI’s goal is to help launch up to five quality child care businesses prioritizing 40% of the newly created child care spots for families with low incomes.
CEI Partners with PCAF to Assess the Carbon Footprint of its Lending Portfolio
On September 23, the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (“PCAF”), announced that more than 50 financial institutions worldwide, representing 2.9 trillion dollars in assets, have committed themselves to assess and disclose the GHG emissions of their loans and investments. It’s the largest such commitment ever made in the financial sector.
CEI Adds Three to Team to Amplify Its Community Impact
Culture Fresh Foods Closes on $11 Million of Early Stage Venture Capital
CEI Ventures participates in financing to restart former Danone factory as a new plant-based dairy
CEI’s Tastemakers Initiative Maps Out Runway for Food and Beverage Facility Development
Throughout Maine, food and beverage companies are posied to be economic drivers for the state, but for many of these companies, finding and securing adequate facility space to grow is challenging.
MaineCanDo Survey Finds Both Men and Women are Routintely Sexually Harassed at Work; Victims Fear Retaliation If They Report It
Half of the 500+ respondents say they’ve experienced sexual harassment in a Maine workplace in first of its kind research in the state
Calling All Women Entrepreneurs!
WILL YOU TELL US YOUR STORY? We’re doing some research and we need your help. At the CEI Women’s Business Center, our mission is to help women in Maine start or grow their own businesses. We’re doing some research this summer to better understand your journey as a female entrepreneur:what’s been challenging, helpful, and unexpected? Our goal is to interview a wide variety of female-identifying entrepreneurs between now and July 25th. The interviews are approximately one hour long, and can happen in-person, on the phone, or as a video call. Your participation will help us craft our program offerings as we move forward, so that we can improve our work and our impact. We know you are a valuable member of our entrepreneurial community, and hope you’ll sign up for an interview, or refer someone who might be a good fit. SCHEDULE YOUR INTERVIEW NOW! You can schedule online for a phone or Skype interview, email us or call Andrea to set up a convenient time at (623) 363-5069. PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ENTERED IN A DRAWING TO WIN A $50 GIFT CARD Frequently Asked Questions
Maine Poised for Big Boost in Clean Energy
Broad Coalition of Businesses, Towns, and Advocates Praise Progress Augusta, ME – Bipartisan majorities in the Maine Senate and House have given final approval to a historic solar energy bill that would give residents, businesses, and towns more opportunities to invest in affordable solar power. LD 1711, sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Dana Dow (R-Lincoln), is awaiting the signature of Governor Janet Mills, who has signaled she intends to sign it into law after campaigning on the need for more solar power in Maine.
CEI Welcomes Lorri Brown as Women’s Business Advisor in Farmington
(Farmington, Maine- June 18, 2019)- Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI) welcomes Lorri Brown as its new Women’s Business Center Program Director and Advisor based in Farmington..