June Chamber Newsletter

The COT Expansion: A Huge Win for our Area

Workforce participation and workforce development continue to be critical challenges for many of our Chamber members. Fortunately we have a lot of local and state leaders who are addressing this challenge head on.

Last week we were thrilled to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the $7mm expansion to the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology. This significant facility expansion will provide new vocational and career-training programs to our area's high school students in culinary arts, travel & tourism/hospitality, and the first ever sports medicine program in the state.

This construction project, which will take about a year to complete adjacent to the BHS gym on the school campus, will add to the already impressive list of career training paths the school currently offers in disciplines such as plumbing and heating, automotive, welding, electrical, nursing, and more. Equipping the next generation of students with the skills they need to fill important roles and forge successful careers is crucial work, especially given the shortage we have in Maine right now for critical skill positions.

Congratulations to BRCOT Director Paulette Bonneau, Superintendent Jeremy Ray and everyone who had a hand in bringing this sizable investment to our region for regional workforce development and our local employers!

Welcome New Chamber of Commerce Members This Past Month

Please join us in welcoming our most recent new members:

Brown Dog Originals Engraving & Gifts: This full-service engraving shop offers recognition plaques, engraved glassware, insulated drinkware and giftables, utilizing their rotary, laser & sand carving skills from their workshop in N Waterboro.

Mill Pond Ceramics Studio: This community clay studio located in the Biddeford Mills offers instructor-led pottery classes for beginners as well as space for more experienced ceramic artists and enthusiasts.

OG's Sandwich Shop: OG's has been serving up their delicious sandwiches - especially their famous Italian - for one year now right in the heart of Biddeford on Main St.

Vickie's Veggie Table: Vickie's is a cafe style plant-based restaurant serving breakfast and lunch all day, featuring sandwiches, açaí bowls, & cold-pressed juice, on Upper Main St. in downtown Biddeford.

Rail Biking at the Seashore Trolley Museum

Revolution Rail Co. is now offering rail bike excursions at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport. Rail-biking is a fun excursion activity for all ages that allows riders to ride the railroad tracks under their own power. On this guided tour, you will travel along a scenic section of the historic Atlantic Shore Line Railway that once carried passengers and freight. Rail-bikers are treated to a 3.5-mile ride with a stop at Seashore Trolley Museum’s Talbott Park to learn more about the history of the area and the railroad. Admission to the Seashore Trolley Museum is also included in the price of the rail-bike excursion through the end of July. To learn more and to book an excursion, please visit https://www.revrail.com/kennebunkport-run or call 888-REV-0123. To learn more about Seashore Trolley Museum, please visit www.trolleymuseum.org.

Forgivable Loan Funding Available Again

Thrive Maine is launching a second round of forgivable recovery loan funding. The application period is May 23-June 23, 2023. Applications will be competitive (NOT first-come-first-serve) and Businesses or Non-Profits who received the first round of Thrive funding are NOT eligible to apply. Applicants must explain the remaining negative pandemic-related economic impact of at least $10,000 that has not been covered by other programs. To learn more about this opportunity and to apply, please CLICK HERE

Chamber Members in the News

We always love coming across articles in the news that feature our valued members. Recently Canvas Rebel, a magazine focused on small businesses, featured a story about Jessica Johnson of Soul Stitcher, highlighting the growth of her Biddeford business along with the many ways she contributes to our community. To read this article CLICK HERE

La Kermesse Returns to Biddeford on June 22nd-25th

The LaKermesse Festival is the annual community celebration featuring music, arts, and outdoor events. This year, the festival is celebrating it's 40th anniversary with a full slate of rides, games and so much more. A highlight will be the Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center (BCHC) sampling the many flavors of Biddeford at its Cultural Cuisine event on Saturday, June 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. at LaKermesse. The BCHC “Cultural Cuisine” will be in the big tent offering samples of foods that are representative of the many cultures and ethnicities of Biddeford’s residents. Festival-goers will have the opportunity to sample tastes from Iraq, Angola, Jamaica, England, Italy as well as Canadian and Eastern European Jewish cultures. For more info on La Kermesse and the complete schedule of daily activities, please CLICK HERE

Annual Saco Sidewalk Art Festival on June 24th

The 52nd Annual Saco Main Street Sidewalk Arts Festival will be taking place once again on June 24th, from 9am to 3pm on Main St. in downtown Saco. Over a thousand people attend this annual event where more than 75 artists and craftsmen display a rich variety of artwork, photography, and sculpture. There will also be plenty of food and drink options as well as part of the festival. For more information, please CLICK HERE

The June Monthly Biddeford Art Walk

is THIS Friday 6/16 from 5:30pm-7:30pm

Click on the ads below for more information: