Michaud seeks input from Maine manufacturers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Mike Michaud is encouraging Maine manufacturers to provide him input through an online survey he created to find out why businesses chose to make their product in Maine and what type of federal policy changes are needed to help them succeed.
The survey can be found by visiting Michaud’s website: Michaud.house.gov. The results of the anonymous survey will be compiled into a report and shared publicly.
“The feedback from this survey will help me communicate to my colleagues in Congress what challenges our manufacturers face and what makes them decide to keep their production here in our country,” said Michaud. “I hope to use this information to craft legislation and weigh in with the Administration on policies that will help the companies who have already chosen to make their product in Maine and incentivize more manufacturers to do so.”
Michaud has been touring manufacturers in Maine over the last few months and is planning to kick off a multi-day tour later in August, where he’ll tour manufacturers from the Auburn area to Aroostook County to hear firsthand from workers, managers and business owners. He plans to take the feedback from the survey and the tour back to Washington to advocate policy changes that will allow Maine businesses to continue “making it in Maine.”
WWC offers Introduction to Self-Employment workshops
Do you have a business idea you want to put into action? Women, Work and Community (www.womenworkandcommunity.org) will offer an introductory business planning workshop to meet your entrepreneurial needs in Aroostook County this summer.
The Introduction to Self-Employment Workshop is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Caribou Learning Center; on Monday, Aug. 22, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Northern Maine Development Commission in Caribou; and on Monday, Aug. 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle. Choose the time and location most convenient for you and register soon to ensure your place in the workshop.
Erica Quin-Easter, microenterprise coordinator for Women, Work and Community in Aroostook County and the trainer for the workshops, noted, “If you are thinking about opening your own business but aren’t sure where to begin, this training will give you the tools you need to evaluate your idea and start planning for success.”
The Introduction to Self-Employment Workshop will walk participants through the pros and cons of owning your own business, show you how to get started step by step, point out the major elements of a business plan, introduce resources available in Aroostook County and statewide, and help you decide whether self-employment is the right choice for you. The training is open to women, men, couples and all entrepreneurs who are considering starting a business. Business owners who want a refresher on business planning, marketing and financial cash flow planning are also welcome to attend.
WWC will also offer New Ventures, a comprehensive 12-week business planning class, from Sept. 12 through Dec. 12 in Presque Isle. Entrepreneurs who are considering attending the New Ventures class should register for the Introduction to Self-Employment Workshop nearest you, where you will receive an overview of the business planning process and where New Ventures applications will be made available to all participants. You may also request a New Ventures application directly from WWC if you are unable to attend the Introduction to Self-Employment Workshop.
FMI or to register, contact Quin-Easter at 764-0050 or erica.quineaster@maine.edu. Pre-registration is required, and there is no fee for the trainings. Men, women and all entrepreneurs are welcome. The Introduction to Self-Employment Workshop is funded in part through a grant award with the U.S. Small Business Administration. For more information on these workshops and other programs and services offered by WWC, visit www.womenworkandcommunity.org.
FORT KENT — The University of Maine at Fort Kent, in partnership with ed2go/GES, now has a program that makes it easy for individuals to take high-quality, affordable non-credit online courses and online career-training programs, to develop new skills and knowledge in order to stand out in today’s competitive job market.
The program allows individuals to enhance their personal and professional skills and prepares them to launch a new career, or advance in an existing one.
Comprehensive six-week online courses start monthly, allowing individuals to take the courses anytime and anywhere convenient.
Courses range from three to six months in length. Many programs include an industry certification exam. The programs are entirely web-based, but expert instructors provide office hours and quick answers to any student questions.
UMFK offersr a catalog of more than 100 courses, which provides the most convenient, affordable and accessible career training programs available anywhere.
FMI, call UMFK at 834-8623 or visit online at http://www.ed2go.com/umfk/.
