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BBACC Connects
April 30, 2020
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Poll Results from April 16 BBACC Connects
Are you excited about The Chamber extending Ghostport in October?
Yes: 37.5%
I will miss Bay Fest but like this alternative: 37.5%
No: 25%
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Welcome to Our Newest Member: Realty of Maine's New Form Team!
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After launching a successful business in 2004 distributing insulating concrete forms to residential and commercial contractors, Michelle Schleck and Erica Libby brought this entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for Maine to the world of real estate!
Michelle holds a BS in Civil Engineering from UMass Lowell and worked for Connecticut DOT as a transportation engineer before moving to Maine in 2001. Erica holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from UMaine and worked for Air Liquide in Atlanta in technical sales before moving back to Maine in 2002. Both Erica and Michelle have served on the Orrington School Committee. In addition, Erica served on the board of the Maine Women’s Fund and Michelle served as a member of the Efficiency Maine Trust.
Welcome Michelle and Erica! Visit their
Facebook Page
for more from The New Form Team!
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A Note from Chamber Director, Teri Doty
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Greetings Bucksport Bay Area!
It’s been almost four months since I began work at the Bucksport Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say that during that time there have been challenges. And I’m ok with that; I like a good challenge!
Covid-19 has played a huge part in the way we think and feel today, and I am sad for each person/business out there trying to stay afloat. Do not let that dampen your spirit! We live in a great state, and are fortunate to be part of a great town with great people!
“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” – Christian D. Larson
Nikki and I are looking at new ways for area businesses to bring in extra money. If you have an idea, we’d love to hear it!
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BBACC Auctions are underway! Join us on
Facebook
!
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List, buy, or bid on your favorite Bucksport Bay Area business items on our
Auctions Page
!
Simply
email us
with the following information:
- The item/service you want us to list with description and photo, if possible.
- Are you willing to auction your item or is your listing to include a “buy it now” price only?
- If you are willing to auction, what is your bottom line price? That’s where we will start the bids.
- Contact information so customers and clients can follow through with you directly for payment and shipping. Your business keeps 100% of the profit!
We post, track comments, and announce winners one week after posting!
We look forward to helping you get the word out!
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Pay It Forward Bucksport Continues
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To qualify for these programs, you must meet the following guidelines:
Food Gift Card Program
– You must have been a Bucksport resident from March 1, 2020 forward, and you must have been laid off or had your hours significantly reduced during the state of emergency due to the COVID 19 pandemic. It is one gift card per household.
This is a pay it forward program and we ask you to commit to doing something good in return for participating in this program and sending us information or a photo showing what that was so that we can post it on our FB page in the hope that it inspires others to do good works in the community.
Small Business Grant Program
– You must have had a small business in Bucksport during this state of emergency and either been forced to close or seen a reduction in revenues associated with the state of emergency of 25% of more. In this program also we ask recipients to do something good and send us a photo or note so that we can post it on our Facebook page and website to inspire others to do good works in the community.
DO NOT COME TO THE TOWN OFFICE FOR AN APPLICATION. Details on how to apply are on the Town website at
www.bucksportmaine.gov
Be safe, be kind, stay home if you can – be Bucksport Strong!
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Keep Customers Up to Date with Smart DataMap Services
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In this time of COVID-19 Pandemic, information is changing daily and sometimes, HOURLY!
Your customers want to know HOW your business is adjusting to the Pandemic. With unprecedented volatility, it's hard to keep up to date! Read Chamber member Smart DataMap Services’ blog to learn how:
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Main Street Bucksport Launches Bucks' Bucks Program
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A new fund has been started with $4,000 in private donations! In the same spirit as “Pay It Forward”, the idea is that “we are all in this together”. Bucks’ Bucks will be sold beginning Thursday, May 7.
100% of all donations will be used to double the value of a $10 Bucks’ Bucks which can be used to purchase $20 worth of local goods, services, or gift certificates at a participating Bucksport business and organizations impacted by the shutdown. Businesses accepting the $10 Bucks Bucks will then be reimbursed $20 from the fund. They get needed business and the buyer gets a really good deal during a tough time.
For more information on this program, click
here
.
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RSU 25 Updates Food Service Plan for Children
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RSU 25 Food Service During School Closure
Regional School Unit 25 is pleased to announce we will be continuing our food service program for school age children living in the towns of Bucksport, Orland, Prospect, and Verona Island while we are experiencing the school closure! The program will provide a lunch and a breakfast for each school age child, free of charge, for the duration of our school closure. This program is available to
ALL
school age children (1-18) and not income dependent.
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Civil State of Emergency Extended to May 15
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Maine's state of civil emergency has been extended from April 15 to May 15. “I wish this proclamation was not necessary, but the continued spread of the virus demands a sustained response by the State,” said Governor Mills.
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Does Your Business Offer Gift Certificates?
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A list of area businesses offering gift certificates is coming soon! If you would like to be included, please send a link to your business page and certificate information to office@bucksportbaychamber.com
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Soap & Water:
- Moisten hands with water and then apply liquid soap.
- Rub hands together, away from the flow of water, for 20 seconds.
- Rinse hands free of soap under running water.
- Dry hands with a clean, disposable paper towel. Ensure that there is no recontamination of the clean hands.
- Turn off faucet using paper towel.
- Throw the used paper towel into a hands-free trash can
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Hand Sanitizer:
- Can only be used when hands are not visibly soiled.
- Can be used by adults and children 2 years of age and older.
- Should have 60-95% alcohol.
- Manufacturer’s instructions must be followed.
- Very close supervision of children should be provided.
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Gov. Mills' Four Stages to Restart Maine
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Here are the four stages of the Governor's Plan to Restart Maine's Economy
:
The staged plan builds on the Governor's current Executive Orders, which already allows grocery stores, pharmacies, financial institutions, home repair services, child care agencies, and car repair services,
among others
to operate, and then allows for the safe reopening of those businesses not currently operating.
STAGE 1 (May):
Beginning May 1st, Stage 1 continues the prohibition on gatherings of more than 10 people, the quarantine of all people entering or returning to Maine for a period of 14 days, and the special precautions for older Mainers and others at risk of COVID-19. It calls for people who are able to work from home to continue to do so, including State employees. It will also newly require that Maine people wear cloth face coverings in public settings where physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain and continue strict requirements for long-term care facilities. Guidance on cloth face coverings will be issued in the coming days. Stage 1 also allows for the limited expansion of certain business, religious, and quality of life activities, with appropriate safety precautions. These include:
* Health care from Maine-licensed providers, with recommendations that they prioritize care for patients with time-sensitive conditions; assure the safety of patients, staff, and communities; manage the use of essential resources such as personal protective equipment and testing supplies; and pace re-opening services to the level of community COVID-19 activity, maintaining capacity in our hospitals for potential outbreaks
* Personal services: Barber shops, hair salons, and pet grooming
* Limited drive-in, stay-in-your-vehicle religious services
* Drive-in movie theaters
* Outdoor recreation: guided outdoor activities (hunting & fishing) and restricted use of golf and disc golf courses
* State parks, state-owned public land trails, and historic sites (although certain coastal state parks will remain closed)
* Auto dealerships and car washes
STAGE 2 (June):
Tentatively beginning June 1st, Stage 2 contemplates revising 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 would allow for some degree of opening with reservations, capacity limits, and other measures for:
* Restaurants
* Fitness and exercise centers and nail technicians
* 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
STAGE 3 (July/August):
Tentatively beginning July 1st, Stage 3 contemplates maintaining the prohibition on gatherings of more than 50 people and other Stage 1 and Stage 2 restrictions, including the 14-day quarantine on people entering Maine. With appropriate safety precautions, Stage 3 would allow for some degree of opening for:
* Lodging, such as hotels, campgrounds, summer camps, or RV parks for Maine residents and visitors. The Administration is developing guidelines to assist them in safely reopening, and reservations should not be taken until those guidelines are issued.
* Outdoor recreation such as charter boats and boat excursions
* Bars
* Personal services such as spas, tattoo and piercing parlors, and massage facilities, among others
STAGE 4 (Timeline Undetermined):
Stage 4 contemplates lifting restrictions and allowing all businesses and activities to resume with appropriate safety precautions.
The stages outlined above are advanced as a framework for planning. Innovations or expanded testing and other capacity could accelerate this pace, as could a determination that certain parts of Maine, such as some rural areas, may be able to ease restrictions safely. At the same time, a surge in COVID-19 in parts or all of Maine could result in significant adjustments to this plan and a return to more restrictions.
The Mills Administration does not currently anticipate that it will be safe to accept cruise or commercial passenger ships with more than 50 people this summer. The Administration will review this assessment in September 2020. This prohibition excludes passenger ferries working between Maine ports. Additionally, the Administration is currently working with stakeholders to develop plans for a safe return to school in the fall.
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Better Business Bureau Resources & Information
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To access information and the tips below, visit the
BBB website!
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Senior Center Meals For Delivery
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In an effort to promote the health and safety of our community the Senior Center is closed to outside visitors. All activities and programs have been postponed. We will not be serving lunch at the Center, but we will still be delivering meals to those in need. If you need to order a meal for delivery call the Center at 469-3632.
These delicious freshly prepared meals are available for the unbelievably low price of $6.00 dollars. The meals include an entree, sides and even a dessert.
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Bank Lobbies Closed. Drive Throughs Remain Open.
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Alamo Marquee Continues to Light Downtown
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As we try to find creative ways to stay connected to our patrons and to keep our business alive, we find ourselves with a fun opportunity.
Without movies, we have a great way for you to do something special even if you can't go out to eat or celebrate occasions with friends and family. Rent a panel on the Alamo marquee! Congratulate a graduate, thank a teacher, wish someone happy birthday, acknowledge someone who has helped you, or how about an anniversary?
For $25 we'll put your positive, non-political, short and sweet message up for two days. (You won't share with more than three other messages.) Feel free to "donate" a message for your favorite take-out place, or even a business you can't wait to have re-open. Get creative.
We could have saved some electricity, wear and tear on the marquee and shut it down after the movies stopped but it is too important that we be a light in the downtown. (The Alamo stood through the 1918 flu epidemic too.)
Let's fill the marquee and the downtown with positive and hopeful messages!
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Black Bears Are On The Move!
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Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust
would like you to know that although most visitors have never seen one, black bears are long-time residents of the Wildlands. Should you encounter one, having your dog leashed is very helpful.
Do you have photos of wildlife near you? Share them with GPMCT by using #greatpondwildlands !
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As the first Economic Impact Payments start being issued, #IRS will launch a tool that provides taxpayers the status of a payment, including the date it’s scheduled to be deposited or mailed.
www.irs.gov/eip
Directdepo / Fastest
A free tool will allow people who filed 2018 or 2019 taxes but didn’t provide banking information to submit it online now so that #IRS can immediately issue Economic Impact Payments through direct deposit.
www.irs.gov/eip
Deferral Employment Tax FAQs
#IRS has posted answers to FAQs on the deferral of employment tax deposits and payments through Dec. 31. See
https://go.usa.gov/xvWk9
Employers can now defer the deposit and payment of the employer's share of social security taxes. Self-employed individuals can now to defer payment of certain self-employment taxes.
Non-Filers tool
#IRS and @USTreasury launch new tool to help people who normally don’t file taxes to register for Economic Impact Payments
www.irs.gov/eip
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Until further notice BRHC is changing walk in care to phone screening due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This is to reduce potential exposure. If you think you may have symptoms, please call our office to speak to someone on the phone. Do not come to the clinic without calling 469-7371.
To communicate with BRHC online, they recommend that you sign up for the PATIENT PORTAL. If you are interested in this convenient tool, call 469-7371 option 7 and they will get you set up.
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Help Castine Historical Society Document COVID
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1920 Castine Town Report showing effects of the 1918-1919 epidemic on local schools
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The Castine Historical Society is creating the Castine COVID-19 Collection. We'd like to make this a community-wide project and encourage you to take time to record the impact of COVID-19 on your life and on the community.
We seek donations in a variety of forms including objects, diaries, songs, photography, poetry, artwork, emails, letters, or even stream-of-consciousness writing on Facebook. As well, the project seeks information about closings, cancellations, town business, and related material from organizations in town.
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Motorcycle Season is Here! Ride Safely.
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A&J Motorcycle Safety School is a veteran owned business, offering multiple motorcycle safety training courses, including the two-day
Basic Rider Course (BRC),
offer the
BRC 2
(formerly the ERC-Experienced Rider Course) and
private classes
for a group of your friends or colleagues for any of the courses we teach. Don’t forget to ask about our
Women’s Only classes!
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Springtime Means Fresh Paint!
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Go to their
website
for information about a free consultation!
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Thank You for Renewing Your Membership!
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Orland United Methodist Church
Bucksport Area Senior Center
Ellsworth-Bucksport Dental Associates
Bucksport/Fort Knox KOA
Carrabassett Spring Water
Healthy Acadia
Webber Tanks
USPS
Sandy Point Congregational Church
Friends of Fort Knox
McKell Foods
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Bucksport Heart and Soul
All Creatures Acupuncture Mobile Vet Service
Bucksport United Methodist Church
The Telephone Museum
Fellows, Kee, Tymoczko & Lewis
Vancil Vision Eye Care
Orland Historical Society
Jones, Kuriloff & Sargent
Castine Historical Society
Camden National Bank
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Is your non-profit business a beneficiary of Amazon Smile donations?
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[83 MAIN STREET]
[BUCKSPORT, ME, 04416]
[MONDAY - FRIDAY]
[8AM TO 12PM]
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