This is the Year to Buy Everything Locally If ever there was a year to only shop at local businesses for your holiday shopping needs, this is it! With supply chain challenges in many sectors of the economy, placing online orders and hoping they will be delivered on time is taking an unnecessary risk. It's so much better to buy from community members in our area - here's why: * Available Products - When you shop local, you leave with your purchase, and you know it's what you want ... shopping virtually results in up to a 30% return rate * Community Connection - When you shop local, you interact with real live community members and build your network ... every online purchase is a missed connection opportunity  * Economic Benefits - When you shop local, your money goes to work in our community and recirculates vs. leaving the state and likely just making the world's richest man a little richer * Sustainability - When you shop local, you help the environment - no excess packaging or shipping miles and less wasteful returns  * Non-Profit Support - Local businesses are the primary benefactors of our area non-profits, so you are helping to support the community * The Pandemic - Every local business has endured an exceptionally challenging past year and a half, they still need your support as we work together to keep our Biddeford & Saco momentum going strong  This holiday season please buy local and shop small - and take advantage of local promotions, some of which are described in more detail below!

Chamber Member Spotlight: Bangor Savings Bank & Buoy Local The Chamber's UNE Fall Intern Keegan Stanton-Meas recently visited with the fantastic team at Bangor Savings Bank, and learned more about their Buoy Local program that supports local businesses and the community. To read this month's Member Spotlight, please CLICK HERE 

Welcome New Chamber Members  Please join us in welcoming the latest new members of our Chamber of Commerce: E3: This local organization works to educate consumers and facilitate the community solar subscription process which produces savings on your monthly electricity bills while helping the environment by generating more clean energy. Jodi Morris Massage Therapy: Jodi is a licensed massage therapist since 2009, specializing in pain management as well as general relaxation. Premium Parking: Premium Parking is the management company for parking in the city of Biddeford and the new Pearl Street Parking garage, located at 15 Pearl St. Richie Ribeye's: This new restaurant on Main St. in Biddeford specializes in making authentic Philadelphia-style Cheesesteak sandwiches. Look for a grand opening / ribbon cutting celebration announcement soon! Suger: SUGER® is the flagship brand for sustainable clothing designer Roxi Suger, with a phenomenal new retail location in Biddeford. Suger also offers Maine Makers Artisan Gifts + local provisions. Located at 5 Washington St., Biddeford, this is a must-see new shopping destination locally. Triangle Design Group: This company focuses on the design and development of high-tech equipment. Specializing in high purity gas and fluid handling systems and industrial controls, they are located on Elm St. in Biddeford. Fontaine Family - the Real Estate Leader: Featuring a highly skilled team of experienced real estate agents dedicated to getting your property sold for more by developing a comprehensive and customized marketing plan. 

Community Solar Information Session November 18th at 8am via Zoom Learn how subscribing to community solar can both make a positive impact on the environment and reduce your annual cost of electricity by anywhere from 9% to almost 15% - all without any fees, upfront costs, or a penalty for opting out.  Yes - it's sounds too good to be true, but it isn't. Maine's community solar program was created by legislation and is regulated by the Public Utility Commission. This virtual information session will be led by Tony Paradiso of Chamber member E3. REGISTER HERE to sign up for this virtual event.

ME Jobs & Recovery Grant Program: Now Open For Applications Maine's DECD recently announced the $5 million ME Jobs & Recovery Program that provides grants for businesses and non-profit organizations that demonstrate a need for financial relief based on expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. To be eligible, applicants must have experienced at least a 20% revenue loss in the year that the specific expense occurred. To learn more about program eligibility and to apply for these grant funds, please CLICK HERE. The deadline for applications is November 26th. Grants are effectively free money so it can't hurt to apply, we recommend that you check it out to see if you qualify.

Small Business Saturday is on November 27th Don't forget to shop locally and help support the community on November 27th! The Saturday following Thanksgiving is nationally recognized as an "American Shopping Holiday." When you decide to buy local you aren't just supporting neighborhood favorites, you're investing in developing the community. Plan to make a day of it with friends and family enjoying everything that Biddeford & Saco has to offer for food, drink, shopping & entertainment!

2nd Annual Poker Crawl November 12th - 14th The Biddeford & Saco Poker Crawl is back and better than ever! Plan to shop at local businesses this coming weekend, and receive a playing card when you spend $10+ at a participating location. Build your best poker hand of five cards throughout the weekend, and then submit it by 6pm Sunday night at Common Roots Studio right off Main St. in Biddeford (Washington St. access). The best poker hands submitted will win fabulous gift basket prizes! To see the full list of particpating businesses and Poker Crawl details, please visit the Facebook event page

Next City Theater Show: Miracle on 34th St: A Live Musical Radio Play The holidays are now upon us ...what better way to get excited for the most wonderful time of the year than enjoying a beloved, heartwarming musical at the Biddeford City Theater. Miracle on 34th St. will run from Friday, December 3rd through Sunday, December 19th. This holiday musical follows a department store Santa who claims he’s the real Kris Kringle. His case gets taken all the way to the Supreme Court, and a little girl’s belief makes the difference. You will want to bring the entire family to enjoy this classic, told in the style of a live 1940’s era radio broadcast. Purchase tickets HERE.

Member Charitable Efforts During the Holidays So many of our Chamber Members have giving campaigns this time of year, charitable efforts that make a huge positive difference in our community. When you are shopping locally, ask how you can participate if possible this year in these charitable efforts. Here's just one of many examples: Jess Johnson of Soul Stitcher on Main St. in Biddeford is once again putting together "Baby Bundles." She will begin collecting brand new baby items and books to give to families who are experiencing hardships with a new infant this holiday season. All items will be collected and donated to area hospitals. Last year this effort helped over two dozen families. This year they are hoping to help 100 families! Please email Jess for more information at: soulstitchersewing@gmail.com 

Young Professionals Group Update The Young Professionals Group chapter of the Chamber had their first get-together recently with a Haunted Happy Hour. It was a fun, informal, and festive way for attendees to network and make connections.  Kasandra Kane of Oceanwood Camp & Conference Center hosted the soiree adorned in cobwebs alongside Kayla Lewis from Bonney Staffing. A fog machine and other spooky decor, as well as beer from Blaze Brewing set the stage for a successful event. A huge thank you to Buoy Local, a program of Bangor Savings, for providing four Bouy Local gift cards as raffle prizes. The YPG will be meeting once a month in virtual settings and in person, primarily after hours. Invitations will be going out in advance for each event by email. If you'd like to be on the YPG email list, please let us know. 

Click on the ads below for more information:

‌ ‌