Mark Your Calendars: Member Event
Mid Coast Hospital Auxiliary Used Book Sale Set for April 6 and 7
Brunswick, ME – The Mid Coast Hospital Auxiliary Used Book Sale will take place on Friday, April 6 and Saturday, April 7, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Merrymeeting Plaza, 147 Bath Road in Brunswick. Thousands of gently used books have been donated and sorted into major categories and will be available at bargain prices.
Book donations will be accepted Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 noon through April 4. Contributors can pull up to the door located between Shaw’s and CVS and volunteers will assist in unloading. All books, except encyclopedias, textbooks, Reader’s Digest condensed books, magazines, or soiled and damaged books, are welcome.
Proceeds from the book sale benefit the Herb Paris Health Career Scholarship Fund and other vital hospital projects. All donations are tax-deductible. More information is available by calling (207) 373-6015.
Save the Date: Workshop
Augusta SCORE - Facebook for Businesses April 13
In light of the recent changes to the Facebook news feed algorithm, how can small businesses and organizations leverage their presence on Facebook? Is it even worth it? Well, don't throw in the towel just yet. During this interactive workshop, you will learn the tips and tricks you need to know in order to rise above the algorithm changes and continue to deliver quality content to your audiences. We will also discuss Facebook Insights in depth. (Plus, you’ll get answers to all those Facebook questions you've been DYING to ask.)
It’s time to make the most of Facebook time and energy to engage more of the people who matter most to your business!
Event link
for more information
Workforce/Education
Merrymeeting Adult Education offers free C.N.A. info session April 19, from 6-7:30pm
Merrymeeting Adult Education is offering a free Certified Nursing Assistant Information Session on Thursday, April 19, from 6-7:30pm at the adult education center at 35 Republic Ave. in Topsham. Interested participants will learn about the enrollment process, scholarship opportunities and there will be time for questions and answers. Call (207) 729-7323 to register.
The C. N. A. course is scheduled for May 21- Aug. 21, from 6- 9: 30 pm, at Region 10 Technical High School in Brunswick. The cost of the course will be $975, but full scholarships, as well as employment opportunities, are available through collaboration with Midcoast Parkview Hospital.
Member Blog
Mid Coast Senior Health Center Nurse Leader Graduates from Maine Health Care Association Nurse Leadership Institute
The Maine Health Care Association (MHCA) announced in February that Shannon Dietz, RN, CPPS, CPHQ, of Mid Coast Senior Health Center recently graduated from the Association’s 2018 Nurse Leadership Institute. Dietz joined the Mid Coast–Parkview Health system in 2017. Check out the full
Blog Press Release Here
Conference Opportunity
Maine Grocers & Food Producers Event Loaded with Appropriate Info for All Business Owners/Managers, April 11
Typically we don’t share industry specific conferences to the general membership but this one got brought to my attention. It’s the
Maine Grocers & Food Producers Conference
happening April 11 in Augusta. The agenda topics include:
10:30 AM - The Workforce W's: Who? What? Where? When?
Presenters will review avenues for recruiting, discuss the state's challenges and areas for opportunities. We'll look to discover outlets to find employees and what you can improve upon to retain your workforce. Presented by Nate Wildes, Live & Work in Maine & Mary Joan Kozicki LaFontaine, Regional Director – Southern CareerCenters
12:30 PM - Legislative Hot Topics:
Minimum Wage, Paid Family Leave, Universal Care, Workplace Safety. Hear the details of how the regulatory environment affects your staff, their rights and be sure you're in compliance. Presented by: Christine Cummings, Executive Director, MGFPA & Curtis Picard, President & CEO, Retail Association of Maine.
1:00PM - Sexual Harassment Prevention Training.
Presented by: Katy Rand, Partner at Pierce Atwood & Leora Kirk, PHR, SHRM-CP, KMA Human Resources Consulting, LLC
2:00PM - Employee Legalities and HR Recommendations.
Presented by: Rebecca S. Webber, Esq., President, Central Maine HRA, The Society for Human Resource Management
Local Event Open to Our Chamber Members
Freeport Chamber Business Expo
Thursday April 5, 2018, 2pm to 5pm
Freeport Chamber of Commerce is holding a Business Expo, which is open to the public and includes: Business Exhibitors, a Speaker Series and even a Putting Contest
Business Exhibitor Booth's available:
SMMC members will get the Greater Freeport Chamber Members price
Private booth for $250 OR-Share with one other Member for $175/each OR-Share with two other Members for $125/each
This is similar to the B2B Marketplace Expo we did with the Freeport Chamber last year but we are not a part of this year. It's nice that the Freeport Chamber will be honoring our members with member pricing.
In the News
Several Great Stories Found Across Various Media Platforms this Week
Downeaster Extension on Hold
I received this news via an e-mail this week, but here is a nice article from the Times Record describing the decision a bit more in depth. Safety is always a big issue and it's better to be safe then sorry. This will be a project that planning is already beginning for Summer 2019.
"A pilot program that would have extended Downeaster passenger rail service from Brunswick to Rockland this summer has been canceled.
Amtrak was unable to complete a risk assessment of the railroad from Brunswick to Rockland in time to launch the pilot program this summer, according to Patricia Quinn, executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority." Click the link above for the full story
Maine House passes bill to provide BIW with $45 million in tax incentives
"The Maine House voted Tuesday to approve a bill that would provide Bath Iron Works with $45 million in tax incentives over 15 years if the shipyard meets investment and employment goals." Click the link for the full story
Bath Iron Works is planning for an expansion at its Brunswick facility
"Bath Iron Works plans to build a 20,000-square-foot steel preservation facility at its Hardings Facility on Bath Road to replace equipment that has begun to fail and cause delays at its main shipyard in Bath." Click on the link for the full story
Strong opinions on MDOT plan to replace bridge connecting Brunswick, Topsham
SMMC Executive Director spoke on behalf of the SMMC Board of Directors reconfirming the baord resolution passed in 2016 for replacement over rehabilitation, citing the business expenses of a prolonged closure and the drastic effects is could have on businesses. Here is an article about that meeting held Wednesday night
"MaineDOT hosted the meeting at Mt. Ararat High School to discuss the bridge project's environmental assessment. More than 250 people attended the project’s environmental assessment meeting at Mt. Ararat High School, which was scheduled to end at 8 p.m. but was extended almost another hour so that everyone who wanted to speak got a chance." Click the link for the full story
Town Meeting to decide fate of future Bowdoinham facility
"Bowdoinham is seeking a new public works facility. The town has used the current location at 8 Pond Road since 1998. Town Manager Bill Post told selectmen in February that the town had been searching for a new site for the public works facility for six years." Click the link for the full story
