New Ventures Maine (NVME) Western Region Manager and Statewide Asset Manager Janet Smith was chosen through an extensive search to succeed Gilda Nardone as she retires after 43 years of service as NVME’s executive director.
Category Archives: Western
Norway Savings Bank Awards Grants to Maine Businesses
Congratulations to New Ventures Maine (NVME) small business grantees from the Western, Midcoast, and Southern regions. Each of the featured businesses below have received Jobs for New England Recovery Grants of $5,000 each from Norway Savings Bank. The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston recently awarded grants to banks through their Jobs for New England Initiative. The grants are for small businesses who were impacted negatively by the COVID-19 pandemic …
Announcing Wabanaki Matched Savings Program
In July of 2019 New Ventures Maine and Four Directions Development Corporation (FDDC) met to discuss ways that we could partner to increase the participation rates for Maine Native Americans in matched savings programs that help low income individuals and families build savings for unexpected expenses and for future goals. Since Four Directions had been wanting to be involved in the financing of a matched savings program for tribal members, …
Building Resilience in Maine’s Small Businesses
Many of our small business participants were impacted by COVID-19. Our Microenterprise Specialists provided resources through individual and small group advising sessions. We moved quickly to offer more business classes online and were proactive in connecting entrepreneurs to available SBA assistance programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), as appropriate. NVME continues to provide tools and support for business …
Supporting the Economic Security of Low-Income Families during COVID-19
For the safety of tax filers, staff, volunteers, and communities, the 10 CA$H Maine Coalitions (cashmaine.org) closed in-person tax sites mid-March and quickly moved to develop new options for people still needing to have their taxes prepared. Our priorities included providing quality service, maintaining physical safety, and protecting tax filers’ information shared virtually while continuing to comply with IRS guidelines. Tax filers able to do their taxes online on their …
New Ventures Maine Video Now Online
Our 40th Anniversary Film, featuring words from our executive director, founders, staff, and participants is now available to watch on YouTube. Thank you to Pica and Rachel Epperly Film & Photo for making this lovely video!
Western Marketing Mini-Grant Announced
We are excited to announce the recipient of our Western Marketing Mini-Grant Top It Frozen Dessert Bar in Auburn! About The Business Top It Frozen Dessert Bar in downtown Auburn was founded in 2013 by Corrie Bernatchez. It offers six flavors of frozen yogurt with up to 30 toppings, as well as other frozen desserts. The business provides a family friendly atmosphere with many children inspired desserts and fun games. The business is currently …
How to Connect with Us During the Coronavirus Outbreak
All New Ventures Maine in-person classes and workshops have been postponed or moved to an online format through the end of April. Individual appointments are available by video conference or phone. To reach a local staff person visit our locations page. We will continue to add daytime and evening online workshops and classes to our schedule. Please check back frequently to see new listings. Stay tuned for updates. We encourage you to take good …
Donation for Totally Trades
New Ventures Maine is very pleased to receive a $2,500 donation from NBT Bank at the recommendation of Bob Gaudreau, Owner of Hardypond Development, and Deirdre Wadsworth, President of Hardypond Construction and member of NVME’s Advisory Council. The gift will support Totally Trades! Conferences which provide hands-on opportunities for middle and high school girls to explore careers in the trades and technical fields.
Happy Holidays
All of New Ventures Maine staff wish all of you a happy holiday season. We hope for the very best for you in the New Year.