fbpx

Marketing Mini-Grants Awarded in Aroostook County

Written by Karin Petrin, Northern Region Microenterprise Specialist
 
We are excited to announce the winners of our Marketing Mini-grant competition for small businesses in Aroostook County!  Two awardees were selected from a strong group of applicants.
 
Twin Rivers Lunch location and sign

Two Rivers Lunch at 75 Dickey Road in the Allagash received an award of $200.

 
Conveniently located at the confluence of the Allagash and St. John Rivers, Two Rivers Lunch provides a scrumptious fare from their fantastic restaurant and an atmosphere many travel hundreds of miles to visit each year. Locals and folks that travel to the Allagash Wilderness area can be found in the restaurant throughout the year. Twin Rivers Lunch provides a great stop for those who journey through the Allagash. The quality fare is made to order on site by local chefs.
 
The marketing mini-grant will help them update and upgrade their roadside signage with a hand-painted sign created by local artist, Mary Beth Jackson. This project will better reflect their image and create greater visibility for folks in search of great eats in the area.
 
Man feeding baby cow

Stumpy Acres Farm at 106 Mouse Island Road in Perham received an award of $200.

 
With a mission to farm naturally, sustainably, and humanely, they currently raise Scottish Highland Cattle for both beef and breeding stock. Beef is sold by the animal and they offer cuts from the freezer. Many of the animals are registered with the American-Scottish Highland Association.
 

The marketing mini-grant will help them acquire a professionally designed logo and sign for the farm. This will assist in both name recognition and clarity to those passing by their location. Currently advertising only by word of mouth, this will allow them to promote their brand in a more professional manner.
 

Kim Jones, Director of Employer U and Assistant Professor of Business Management for the University of Maine at Presque Isle, served on the grant review committee and lent her expertise to the review process. She says, “I think the mini-grants offer area business owners a great opportunity to access funds to help improve and grow their business. While it’s not a huge sum of money, it can certainly make the difference in starting and/or completing those workplace projects that might otherwise not get done. The application process is simple and the selection is done in a way that is fair and takes into consideration the impact of the funds on the overall business.”
 
New Ventures Maine’s Marketing Mini-grant criteria included having five or fewer employees, gross annual sales of $250,000 or less, and articulating a compelling marketing project to support business growth. Support for NVME’s mini-grants program was provided in part from The Betterment Fund.