Insider Newsletter
Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce
KennebecValleyChamber.com
June 2020

Creating Your Personal Brand
in a Virtual World
with Candace Sanborn, Radiant Image

Tuesday, June 2nd | 12:00 - 1:00 PM

FREE Zoom Webinar
Life has changed radically in the last couple of months with many people working virtually and companies putting a pause on hiring and promotions.  It is more important than ever to understand what you can do to create your personal image to look professional and convey confidence so you stand out in this virtual world. 

Whether you’re a recent graduate just starting your career or you've been working for a while and are looking to create new opportunities, this virtual workshop will provide tips on how to look good in a virtual setting, covering areas such as lighting, selecting  flattering  tops and simple makeup techniques, plus suggestions for answering common interview questions and do's and don'ts for posting online.
A Zoom conference line will be emailed to a ttendees after registering for the event.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Wednesday, June 3rd | 9:00 - 10:00AM | FREE Zoom Webinar
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce staff will present a legislative debrief on activity from the session as well as a look ahead. They will also discuss the critical role and valuable insight local business leaders contribute to the legislative process. Business leaders are instrumental in the open dialogue about issues that affect your business, your community, and our state. The Legislative Debrief will take place as part of the Kennebec Valley Chamber's Chamber Connection series.

Come with your questions and find out what we can look for next legislative session!
A Zoom conference line will be emailed to a ttendees after registering for the event.
Thank you to our Chamber Connection Sponsor!
Protecting Our Lakes Through Community and Conservation
with Toni Pied, Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed

Wednesday, June 10th | 12:00 - 1:00PM

$20 per person
KV Chamber Members will receive a $10 gift certificate to enjoy lunch on us!
Toni Pied is the Director of Development and Membership for the Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed, and also helps coordinate their invasive aquatic plants program. Toni has been working to protect Maine’s natural resources for almost twenty years, and has dedicated much of that time to protecting one of Maine’s most treasured resources, our lakes. Toni grew up in Massachusetts and was fortunate to spend much of her childhood exploring Maine’s lakes, forests, and mountains. After earning a degree in Environmental Science and Biology from the University of Maine Farmington, Toni moved to Gardiner, where she lives with her family, and works to protect the lakes that fostered her love of the outdoors.
IMPORTANT: Attendees must make the full payment prior to the event in order to receive the link to attend the digital event. KV Chamber Members will receive a $10 chamber gift certificate from our Shop Local program to enjoy lunch on us from a participating member!
Thank you to our Women's Network Luncheon Sponsor!
Thursday, June 18
4:30 - 5:30PM
via Zoom Conference Line
We miss you! Although we are not able to network together face-to-face, we are excited to catch up and network virtually! Our members and guests are invited to join us on  Thursday, June 18  from  4:30 to 5:30 p.m.  for a virtual Business After Hours. Share updates on your business and reconnect with the KV Chamber!
A Zoom conference line will be emailed to a ttendees after registering for the event.
Thank you to our Business After Hours Sponsor!
NEW DATE: September 14, 2020
The Meadows Golf Club
10:00 AM SHOTGUN START
Team "Scramble"

Registration is $130 per golfer or $520 per foursome
Register as an individual or as a team!
Registration includes:
  • The Meadows swag and snacks
  • Greens fees
  • Cart rental
  • Lunch on the turn
  • Entry for closest-to-the-pin
  • Entry for hole-in-one
  • Entry for longest drive
  • Appetizers during the reception
Experience the Kennebec
River Brewfest At Home!

For the health and safety of attendees and to be in compliance with the state of Maine's guidance, the 3rd Annual Kennebec River Brewfest will not be held as a live event. Instead of canceling the event completely, we have come up with a way for you to enjoy the Brewfest from the comfort of your own home! We are working with the breweries to create curated boxes filled with cans, bottles, and swag for you to enjoy at home.

More details and the reopening of ticket sales to come!

THANK YOU TO OUR 2020 KENNEBEC RIVER BREWFEST SPONSORS!
PRESENTING SPONSOR
VIP SPONSOR
BOX SPONSOR
Stage 2 of the Plan to Restart Maine's Economy
The second phase of Governor Mill's plan to restart Maine's economy begins today, June 1st. Stage 2 revises the limitation on gatherings from less than 10 people to less than 50 people. It also calls for people who can work from home to continue to do so but allows for employees in certain fields to begin to reenter the office as needed, including State employees. It maintains the 14 day quarantine for all people entering or returning to Maine and the special precautions for older Mainers and others at risk of COVID-19. With appropriate safety precautions, Stage 2 allows for some degree of opening with reservations, capacity limits, and other measures for: 
  • Restaurants
  • Retail stores for broader in-store shopping 
  • Lodging and campgrounds for Maine residents and those who have met the 14 day quarantine requirement 
  • Day camps for Maine children and those who have met the 14 day quarantine requirement 
  • Coastal State parks 

The Maine Department of Economic & Community Development released the industry-specific checklists for Stage 2 businesses to identify best practices for safely operating business during COVID-19. Please note these checklists may be updated as new information about COVID-19 or safe business practices emerge. Click here to view the checklists .

On May 29th, Governor Mills signed an Executive Order allowing for easing of restrictions as restarting Maine plan progresses. To a large extent, the Executive Order consolidates for clarity the major provisions of previous Executive Orders and adds to the face covering requirement. The following is an outline of the order:

  1. Eases the restrictions on certain gatherings from 10 to 50 beginning June 1 consistent with the Restarting Plan.
  2. Eases restrictions on eating establishments permitted to reopen and maintains restrictions on those not yet authorized to reopen consistent with the Restarting Plan.
  3. Phases out the distinction between essential and non-essential businesses consistent with the implementation of the Restarting Plan.
  4. Continues to require businesses to the extent practicable as determined by businesses to have their employees work remotely.
  5. Continues but relaxes Maine’s “Stay Safer at Home” Order, which has Maine people stay-at-home with exceptions, allowing people to visit more businesses and participate in more activities as they reopen under the Restarting Plan.
  6. Maintains previously established restrictions on use of public transportation, unless necessary for essential purposes, and continues to limit passengers in certain private vehicles.
  7. Effective June 5th, requires places of business accessible to the public to post readily visible signs notifying customers of the requirement to wear cloth face coverings where physical distancing is not possible, as many already have, and allows them to deny entry or service to a person not wearing a covering or who is exempt from doing so.

The Order was effective starting May 31st and will remain in effect until rescinded.

The KV Chamber has created a webpage  to keep our community up-to date on the situation regarding the spread of coronavirus and additional resources.
This is ME Counting on YOU
Last week, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce launched a public awareness campaign, This is ME Counting on You, encouraging all Mainers to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19. We know you as a Maine employer are doing your part. We are counting on each and every Maine individual to also act safely and responsibly so Maine reopens successfully, we can all get back to business, Maine people can get back to work, and Maine’s economic recovery can begin.

The Kennebec Valley Chamber is pleased to help spread the word about this initiative and the importance of following recommended health and safety guidelines and precautions, such as wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. We hope you will help spread the message, too. The following resources are available to assist businesses with this:

  • On the Resources page of the campaign’s website, www.MEcountingonYou.org, you will find printable files featuring the initiative’s logo and messages for placement in your business to provide reminders for employees, customers, and visitors.
  • Also for placement in your business are 12” round floor stickers (please see a photo on the Resources page). If you would like a floor sticker or two (or more), please let me know and we will get those to you.
  • Please consider placing a ‘virtual bumper sticker’ on your website linking to www.MEcountingonYou.org. Easy instructions are on the website’s Resources page.
  • Please ‘like’ and ‘follow’ the initiative on Facebook, and consider using the hashtag #MECountingOnYou to share what you and your employees are doing related to safety practices associated with COVID-19.

The intent of ‘This is ME Counting on You’ is to serve as an effective reminder to all Maine people that each of us has an important role to play in defeating COVID-19. We are all in this together. Following recommended health and safety guidelines is the best way we can support one another, our communities, and you, Maine’s employers, as well as your employees.
Masking and Hand Washing Posters Available from MaineGeneral Health for Restaurants
During the COVID-19 pandemic, MaineGeneral Health has been providing best-practice information to keep people safe in their facilities and community. They developed face covering signs for their departments and practices that have been effective in handling sometimes difficult conversations about the importance of masking.

To help our partners, we adjusted the cling signage for use in restaurants. MaineGeneral is pleased to make these signs available to restaurants at no charge. Any restaurant member who would like one or more clings for their establishment should send their request to Juliet Graves at MaineGeneral at juliet.graves@mainegeneral.org or (207) 624-3881.
Now more than ever, we need to support our local businesses and organizations. The Kennebec Valley Chamber has created a  Facebook Group  for restaurants, businesses, and nonprofits to post updates on their organizations including new hours, menu options, service offerings, and more.

Please join the group and share it with others in the community! If you are a business owner, we encourage you to share your information in this group!
Eat Local!
Join us in supporting our local restaurants

Tired of cooking and looking for lunch or dinner options?  Check out our list of KV Chamber Members and what food options they are currently offering! Please note that this list is constantly being updated and we encourage you to check with the business to confirm these details.
Welcome New Members!
Hello, Good Pie Bakery & Gourmet Kitchen
Shari Hamilton, (207) 485-2323

Painting with Lori
Lori Miller, (207) 859-0290
Member Anniversaries
40+ Years
Cross Insurance | Thomas Agency

30+ Years
Maple Hill Farm Inn & Conference Center

 20+ Years
Bread of Life Ministries | Cives Steel Co. | College Carry-Out | Golden Pond Wealth Management, Inc. | Macomber Transportation & Warehousing | Pinkham Insurance Agency | Reavy Excavation & Trucking

10+ Years
Burgess Technology Services | FirstPark | Gibson LeClair, LLC | Liberty Mutual Company | Riverview Psychiatric Center| Servpro of Augusta | Valle, Harwood, & Blouin Real Estate | Woodlands Senior Living

5+ Years
Fieldstone Quick Stop, LLC | Maine Job Trust | McKee Law | Pine Tree Fence & Stove Shoppe

Also Renewing
Augusta Colonial Theater, Inc. | Augusta Elks Lodge #964 | Ground Round Sports Grille | Maine Matters Research and Consulting | Spectrum Reach | The Meadows Golf Club & Doolin's Pub | Vannah Yard Care
Chamber Member News
Gardiner FCU has donated about $23,000.00 in recent weeks to food pantries and organizations who provide food to area families, with food insecurities. The Credit Union typically holds fundraisers, year-round, to benefit the Campaign for Ending Hunger. Realizing the urgent need, they released those funds early and also made separate contributions to the Gardiner Tiger Food Pantry and to the Good Shepherd Food Bank, where many of the pantries supported by GFCU, go to get items to fill their shelves.
The staff, board and members of Gardiner Federal Credit Union are proud to announce the winners of six $500.00 scholarships. From Gardiner Area HS: Jordan Snell; Cony HS: Caroline Mosca; Erskine Academy: Lucy Allen; Maranacook Community HS: Collin McGarr; Medomak HS: Kyle Weinand; Winthrop HS: Gia Francis. The scholarships are open to both graduating seniors and those already in college. 77 applications were received, of those 65 met eligibility requirements and followed instructions, and were therefore considered for the six available scholarships.Applicants’ names are masked during the review and decision making process and revealed after the selections have been made.
MaineGeneral Health received a $40 million endowment from the Peter Alfond Foundation. The endowment will allow MaineGeneral to significantly expand its prevention programs to sustain improvements to community health. The Alfond Youth & Community Center has been endowed $8 million to fund the positions of Wellness Director and Wellness Trainers.
MaineGeneral Medical Center (MGMC) has received a five-year, $2 million grant from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support efforts that address youth trauma. The Central Maine Youth Trauma Initiative, fully funded by the federal grant, will enable the Pediatric Center to:

  • Provide training for up to 100 providers in well-researched, effective therapies for children who have experienced trauma or are in high-risk situations;
  • Provide education and support to foster parents in caring for children who have experienced trauma; and
  • Create a Trauma 101 curriculum that will be provided at no cost to organizations that serve children who have experienced trauma, such as schools.

The need for a robust effort to address trauma comes in the wake of Maine’s high rates of opiate addiction and increased risks to children from rising rates of poverty, parental unemployment and the loss of social supports during COVID-19.
To submit Member News, send your press releases to: info@kennebecvalleychamber.com
KVCC Board of Directors
Alec Rogers, Chair*
Quality Inn & Suites Maine Evergreen Hotel
Leon Emery, Chair Elect*
Emery’s Meats & Produce
Earl Kingsbury, Vice Chair*
Augusta Civic Center
Matthew Tardiff, Treasurer*
J.S. McCarthy Printers
Nathan Cotnoir, Past Chair*
Camden National Bank
Chuck Hays, Past Treasurer*
MaineGeneral Health
Cathy DeMerchant, Human Resources*
Capital Area Staffing Solutions, Inc.
Katie Doherty, President & CEO*^
Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce

* Executive Committee  ^ Full -Time Executive

Karen Boston
Lipman & Katz, P.A.
Lori Dube
Sprague & Curtis Real Estate
Elisa Ellis, Special Counsel
Ellis Law, LLC
Sue Grenier
G&E Roofing Co., Inc.
Eric Jermyn
Cross Insurance Agency
Steven Marson
Central Maine Pyrotechnics
Stacey Morrison
Ganneston Construction Corp.
Richard Parkhurst
Stained Glass Express
Michele Pelletier
Performance Foodservice - NorthCenter
Lynn Quirion
Macomber, Farr & Whitten
Andrew Silsby
Kennebec Savings Bank
Eric Stinneford
Central Maine Power Company
Tim Walton
Walton External Affairs
Rebecca Wyke
University of Maine at Augusta
KVCC Staff

Katie L. Doherty, President & CEO, kld@kennebecvalleychamber.com
Lindsay L. Corbett , Office Manager, llc@kennebecvalleychamber.com
Kayla M. Tracy , Events & Membership Director, kmt@kennebecvalleychamber.com
Caroline A. Saban , Marketing Director, cas@kennebecvalleychamber.com