January 2023 Edition
Innovation
Sponsored by Central Maine Motors Auto Group
January Speaker Series:
Bixby Chocolate: Crafting Chocolates with a Conscience
January 12 | 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. |
Bricks Coworking Space, Hathaway Creative Center, Waterville

With Kate McAleer, Founder

Listen in to hear how Bixby Chocolate has transformed the chocolate manufacturing market, introducing the state’s first bean-to-bar facility that produces candies that are ethically sourced, organic, and gluten-free.

About Bixby Chocolate: Founded in Rockland Maine by socially responsible business owner Kate McAleer, Bixby products are manufactured in a 125-year-old former ice plant located on a working marina on Maine’s mid-coast. Bixby Chocolate’s innovations include producing its own chocolate straight from the cocoa bean for several new bean-to-bar chocolate bars, including its newly created chocolate bonbons, chocolate nibs, and chocolate-covered coffee beans.
5 Qs with Kate McAleer
Founder, Bixby Chocolate
What are your plans for growth or expansion into other markets within the next few years? 

New products! We are presently expanding with additional products: 6 Bean to Bars tablets chocolate bars into Whole Foods Market. We just celebrated the opening of the Bixby Chocolate Café in Waterville located in the new Paul J. Schupf Art Center which is so exciting! Bixenta Coffee roasted by Bixby & Co. has also just been launched in concert with the opening of the Café. Also just launched:  Bixby Café items such as baked goods, Bixella—chocolate hazelnut spread, and prepared chocolate beverages.
Virtual Speaker Series Recordings
Dirigo Speaker Series conversations have been made available for viewing anytime. You can watch recordings of past conversations on our YouTube Channel.
Business Investment
Top Stories of December 2022
Contact: Don Plourde
207-861-2462
dplourde@cbplourde.com
Central Maine Real Estate Spotlight
Featured Commercial Property:
Building Size: 1,958 sq. ft.
Lease Rate: $10.72/sq.ft. (annual)
Property Features:
  • Municipal and street parking
  • First-floor occupancy
Context: 
  • Located in the heart of Waterville's Main Street
  • Proximity to I-95
Quality of Life
Sponsored by MaineGeneral Health
MaineGeneral Medical Center is the first health system in the state to offer the latest technology to detect lung cancer in patients at earlier, more treatable stages: robotic bronchoscopy.

This minimally invasive robot-assisted bronchoscopy gives doctors great stability and precision in obtaining tissue samples deep within the lining of the lungs. Combined with Low-Dose CT scan, robotic bronchoscopy is a powerful tool to diagnose lung cancer early.

Our skilled, compassionate staff offer you this care in one place, right here in the Kennebec Valley.

Learn about the comprehensive services available to screen, diagnose and treat lung cancer at www.mainegeneral.org/lung-cancer.
Workforce Investment
Workforce Training & Professional Development: 
Maine Community College System Announces Historic Investment in Workforce Training
Need a virtual assistant to help with your business? KVCC is currently training several Maine-based virtual assistants to connect with local businesses/organizations to complete projects related to digital marketing or project management. Please fill out our form to request a virtual assistant: https://kvcc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3vEhFX1hWtEsILA 

Looking to train your workforce? The Harold Alfond Foundation is funding training that will offer Maine businesses the opportunity to train their frontline workers and will cover half of the training cost of up to $1200. KVCC provides training in trades, healthcare, hospitality, information technology, and more. Employees can participate in existing training programs or KVCC can create customized training to meet your business needs. For more information on our training programs visit us at www.kvcc.me.edu/workforce. KVCC also offers a variety of training programs free and open to the public.  

To learn more, contact Elizabeth Fortin at 207.453.5858 or by email at workforce@kvcc.me.edu to take advantage of this incredible opportunity for free or low-cost training. 
Coworking & Collaboration
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