Staff Writer
The Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the only single service site to offer loans from three levels of government, a feature touted last week during the Rotary Club meeting.
Contributed photo
Members of the Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry on hand to help celebrate the grand opening of Magic Scissors, located on High Street, were, from left,: Robin Holmquist, owner /stylist; Troy Heald, CCCI board member, Ken Murchison, CCCI and Caribou city council member, Kevin Huston, CCCI, Jeannie McLaughlin, CCCI, Amanda Beaulieu, stylist and Steve Lunn, CCCI board member.
Craig Staples, CCC&I’s immediate past president, administers loan funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Finance Authority of Maine and some loans from the city of Caribou.
Together, the chamber has administered $13 million in their own funds and money officials have leveraged from the various levels of government.
“We’re gap financiers,” Staples explained, adding that if clients aren’t able to obtain financing elsewhere or in tandem with other lenders, they can apply for loans with the chamber.
With this money, Staples said that 500 jobs have been created, while 85 jobs have been retained.
The past president said that the agency has applied for more state funding and is expecting to hear about that effort this month.
Staples also presented the results of a member survey conducted in November 2007 that found that 93 percent were neutral or overall satisfied with the chamber’s work.
The study also said that 43 percent said that they joined the chamber because of the benefits for business, while 30 percent said they felt an obligation to join the organization.
The chamber also surveyed non-member businesses, who responded by saying that the chamber can make businesses more aware of its functions.
The chamber business director, Wendy Landes, gave Rotarians a history of the agency since a merger of two local agencies ocurred in 2000.
She pointed out the organization’s push toward business retention and expansion.
In other activity, the local club has decided donate $10,000 toward the construction of new tennis courts at Caribou High School, according to the club president Dr. Dan Jandreau.
The club also plans to hold a bicycle “trek across Caribou” on Satuday, June 7, with school children who are scheduled to receive new biking helmets from the club.
This week’s meeting will be held at the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle.
