SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES & ENTREPRENEURS
SCEC ' s Small Business & Entrepreneurship Team
The Small Business and Entrepreneurship team at SCEC provides business advising, assistance with loans and grants, career development resources, technical assistance, help with finding and winning federal contracts, technology advising, diversifying income streams, and more.
2025 Community Outreach
• Community Connections Fairs in Calais and Machias engaged 120 community members, 238 students, 24 employers, and 57 resource providers
• Resource fairs at the Machias Downeast Recovery Center and an Opportunities Fair for students in grades 6 to 12 at
the Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology
• Business outreach in Sipayik, Calais, Baileyville, Princeton,
Danforth, Eastport, Cherryfield, and Lubec
Advising Future Entrepreneurs
SCEC ' s Small Business & Entrepreneurship team mentored area high school students throughout fall 2025 as part of the " Money Maker Showdown " business pitch competition( scheduled for Spring 2026), a project sponsored by Machias Savings Bank, in partnership with Jobs for Maine Graduates( JMG). Pictured above: Washington Academy ' s JMG teacher and students( at left) meet with SCEC staff at MSBB.
Accredited Virtual Business Training
Partners in Entrepreneurial Pathways is a free, accredited virtual startup accelerator series, funded by Northern Border Regional Commission and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, focused on business plans and start-up development. Washington County Community College offers three free college credits for completion of each series.
Pathways 1.0( Fall) & 2.0( Spring) in 2025:
110
Individuals reached in 2025
41
Unique asynchronous business workshops
26
Presenters from partner organizations & businesses
63
Hours of instruction provided at no-cost
Technical Assistance
• SCEC staff provided no-cost one-on-one tech support to Washington County residents.
• Staff developed business websites at no-cost for clients, including one with an e-commerce store.
• SCEC hosted free in-person business workshops such as " TikTok for Your Business "( above) at MaineStreet Business Building.
Industry Support
SCEC collaborated with partners to host the first annual Downeast Fishing Family Forum to address safety, financial stability, and well-being with Downeast fishing families.
2 | SCEC 2025 Annual Report