Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship

04/02/2026

We want to hear from you!

Small business owners are the backbone of our communities, and many are facing real challenges. From rising costs and staffing shortages to shifting customer expectations and economic uncertainty, we need to do more to support local businesses in our communities. That's why Main Street launched this spring small business survey.

https://nationalmainstreet.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eDP5a2WQGjgqbtk

02/17/2026

Maine Development Foundation is partnering with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce to gather input on the state’s economic climate, key challenges, and emerging opportunities.

If you are a business owner, executive, or employer, please consider completing the Maine Economic Vision 2035 Survey. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes and your feedback will directly inform the 2026 statewide economic report (formerly known as Making Maine Work).

Participation is confidential, and your insights will help shape future policy and investment decisions across Maine.

Take the survey here:
https://us1se.voxco.com/S2/8/MEV35/?mod=0&dlang=en

MDF is working with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce to gather your thoughts and perspectives on the state’s economic climate, challenges, and opportunities. We are asking business leaders and employers to please fill out the Maine Economic Vision 2035 Survey. It should take only about 10 minutes of your time: https://us1se.voxco.com/S2/8/MEV35/?mod=0&dlang=en

Your responses will directly inform the 2026 report (formerly known as Making Maine Work) and help ensure your voice is reflected in future decisions. Participation is confidential. Thank you!

Yellow Light Breen

02/11/2026

Friends, neighbors, and supporters — Main Street Skowhegan has been nominated for Best Non-Profit Organization in the Morning Sentinel Readers’ Choice Awards.

If you believe in strong downtowns, local businesses, and community-driven work, we’d be honored to have your support.

Take a moment to nominate Main Street Skowhegan here:
https://www.centralmaine.com/2026/01/29/morning-sentinel-readers-choice-2026/ #/gallery?group=536090

It only takes a minute, and your support helps highlight the work being done right here in Skowhegan. Thank you for being part of it!

02/10/2026

We’re incredibly grateful to the local businesses who help make Somerset SnowFest possible by donating to our raffle and supporting winter fun in our community.

A big thank you to:
• Campbell's Ace Hardware - Skowhegan, ME — Skowhegan
• Walmart Skowhegan — Skowhegan
• The River Jack Tavern — Fairfield
• Tractor Supply Co. — Skowhegan
• Six Penny Jug — Norridgewock

Their generosity helps bring events like SnowFest to life. If you’re able, please consider supporting these businesses and thanking them for giving back to our region.

02/05/2026

This blog post by Main Street Skowhegan President & CEO, Kristina Cannon highlights how coordinated efforts, business support, and community-driven initiatives are positioning Skowhegan as a rural development hub.

We’re honored to be part of this work and to support the entrepreneurs helping move our region forward.

Read the full blog post here:
https://mainstreetskowhegan.org/main-street-skowhegan-a-rural-development-hub/

Skowhegan is more than just a town, it’s a community with deep roots, natural beauty, and boundless potential. At Main Street Skowhegan, our mission is to strengthen our local economy, support small businesses, and create opportunities that make life better for everyone who calls this place home. ...

01/29/2026

Small business owners, time is running out.

The deadline to apply for a Marketing Mini Grant is tomorrow, Jan. 30. If you’re planning marketing or outreach projects this year, don’t miss this opportunity for financial support.

Apply here:
https://newventuresmaine.org/about-us/more-services/marketing-mini-grants/

Looking ahead to spring, New Ventures Maine is offering a class titled, Cyber Security for Small Businesses, offering practical guidance to help protect your operations and customer data.

Many small businesses across Maine have benefited from the NVME marketing mini-grant program since its launch in 2010.

01/27/2026

Main Street Skowhegan recently celebrated 20 years of supporting our local community. Whether you opened your doors a year ago or fifty, your story is part of Skowhegan’s larger narrative.

If you’re building something here, growing something here, or carrying on a legacy here, we encourage you to be part of this project and help preserve Skowhegan’s entrepreneurial story for generations to come.

Skowhegan businesses have stories worth preserving.

We’re inviting local businesses to reserve a spot in the 2026 coffee table book, Made in Skowhegan: From River Banks to Main Street. This publication will celebrate the history, character, and impact of the businesses that have shaped Skowhegan through compelling photography and storytelling.

Do you have a memorable story about your business, your founders, or the building you call home? Your feature can highlight not only what you do today, but also the legacy, nostalgia, and history behind it. This is an opportunity to honor your place in Skowhegan’s story and help preserve it for generations to come.

Sizes include single photos up to two-page spreads, but space is limited. Join us in capturing the people, places, and businesses that make Skowhegan unique.

LEARN MORE:
https://mainstreetskowhegan.org/made-in-skowhegan/

01/20/2026

Maine entrepreneurs and small business owners—this is an opportunity to strengthen your team while supporting the next generation of innovators. The Innovate for Maine Fellows Program from the University of Maine is now accepting host applications for summer 2026, connecting Maine companies with high-performing college students ready to contribute to real-world projects.

Fellows can support work in areas such as technology, product development, research, operations, and marketing, bringing fresh perspectives and added capacity to your business. The program is designed to be low-lift for employers: Innovate for Maine manages recruitment, placement, training, and mentorship throughout the internship.

There is no cost for Maine businesses with fewer than 50 employees, and companies with 50 or more employees cover just 50% of the program cost.

Application deadline extended to February 8, 2026.

Apply to host a Fellow: bitly.com/ifmfellow
Join an upcoming info session: bit.ly/3ZeGTGr

Join us online to explore cool ideas and projects boosting Maine’s innovation scene!

01/14/2026

Grant Application Deadline Extended

Good news for local entrepreneurs and small business owners — the application deadline for the Amex Shop Small Grant Program has been extended.

You now have until January 23 to apply.

If you were still considering applying or needed a bit more time to complete your materials, this extension gives you the opportunity to move forward. We encourage all eligible applicants to take advantage of this additional time.

Learn more and submit your application here:

Providing grants to help small businesses grow, innovate, and support their local communities.

01/02/2026

Maine entrepreneurs and small business owners...

Our Director of Entrepreneurship, Patric Moore, recently shared a must-read blog post highlighting 9 resources every Maine entrepreneur should know. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to grow, these tools and support organizations can help you access mentorship, funding, technical assistance, and training opportunities across the state.

Maine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is stronger than many people realize—and knowing where to look can make all the difference.

Read the full post here:
https://mainstreetskowhegan.org/9-resources-all-maine-entrepreneurs-should-know-about/

Know someone launching or growing a business? Be sure to share this with them.

Maine Center for Entrepreneurs
Coastal Enterprises Inc.
Maine SBDC
FAME Maine
Maine Technology Institute
SCORE Mentors
University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Maine is a state full of ingenuity and big ideas. Yet many founders—whether they’re building a new food brand, opening a small retail shop, or launching a tech startup—aren’t aware of the breadth of high-quality support available to them. From capital and coaching to coworking and community,...

12/16/2025

We love seeing local entrepreneurs doing big, innovative things. Shawn Duffy and his business partner, Ethan Nurick, are featured in a recent Edible Maine article exploring new approaches to protein—including foods made from insects.

Their company, Invertebration, is creating mealworm-based foods and insect-derived protein powder that balance nutrition, sustainability, and consumer curiosity—all right here in Maine.

Even better, both Shawn and Ethan are graduates of the Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship’s Food Entrepreneur Pathway Program. This local program supports emerging food founders with the skills, mentorship, and business know-how needed to bring bold ideas to market. Their success is a great example of the kind of innovation the program is designed to support.

The Food of tomorrow Might Just Be Crawling Toward Us today