FocusMaine

We are deeply grateful for the support of Builders Initiative as we work to generate revenue for Maine businesses and good jobs for Maine people. Builders Initiative plays a key role in funding our Aquaculture Pioneers program, offered in partnership with Educate Maine. This program strengthens Maine’s working waterfront by providing participants with hands-on experiences that build unique skills, offering vital assistance to Maine farms during their busiest seasons, and expanding the talent pool needed to sustain this growing industry for the future. #maine #economy #aquaculture #workforcedevelopment #preapprenticeship #talent

Bangor Savings Bank is a leader throughout northern New England, and their support of FocusMaine has been invaluable in amplifying the impact of our programs for Maine’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. Due to the support of Bangor Savings Bank and our other dedicated donors, FocusMaine partnerships and programs have continued to provide the right support at the right time for Maine’s growing food and bioscience companies. By strengthening these high-impact sectors — and the workforce that sustains them — we are laying the groundwork for enhanced opportunity and prosperity among all Maine people. #maine #economicdevelopment #smallbusiness #support #technicalassistance #programs #food #bioscience #workforce

Did you catch Andrea Cianchette Maker on the George Hale and Ric Tyler show on WVOM-FM this morning? Hear her talk a little bit about our recent release of Cultivating Prosperity: A Strategic Plan for Growing Maine's Food Economy! https://lnkd.in/gS9683vE #maine #mainefood #foodeconomy #actionplan #economicdevelopment #radio

As the year comes to a close, we would like to thank some of our donors for making this year of impact for FocusMaine possible. The HAROLD ALFOND FOUNDATION, renowned for its unwavering support of transformative initiatives, has been instrumental in our success. We are honored to be part of their community of changemakers. Thanks to their generosity over the years, we’ve achieved remarkable milestones, including the creation of over 1,200 jobs, generating $261.7 million in revenue, and driving $71 million in earnings. Together, we’re building a stronger, more prosperous Maine. Here’s to continued impact in the year ahead!

Maine is outpacing national job growth and we're capitalizing on this momentum. 📈 We envision food and life sciences propelling Maine's economy into the future and generating even more opportunity across sectors for all Maine people. 🌱 🧬 🚀 We hope you take a moment to review our 2018-2023 Impact Report to see how far we've come and where we're headed ➡️ https://lnkd.in/di4jMcAb #maine #food #bioscience #lifescience #impact #futureready #innovation

New Release! Cultivating Prosperity: A Strategic Plan for Growing Maine’s Food Economy. 🥕🦪 Based on stakeholder input and robust economic research conducted by Camoin Associates and published by FocusMaine, this plan dives deep into the current landscape and charts an ambitious path forward for Maine’s agriculture, aquaculture, and value-added food and beverage production sectors—industries poised to drive job creation and revenue growth across the state. 🌱 See the full release and report at: https://lnkd.in/gfD67AxP #maine #food #foodeconomy #actionplan #partnerships #collaboration #agriculture #aquaculture

We're thrilled to see the continued growth and the innovative solutions of a MarketShare Accelerator alumnus company! Congratulations, Maine Grains, Inc.! "Maine Grains said the equipment will produce healthy, ready grain-based foods with locally sourced ingredients. It will also enable them to "upcycle" byproducts from milling, cheesemaking, seaweed, blueberry and soy products into high-fiber, high-protein packaged goods for sale to schools and institutions." "Lambke said the new production lines and sales are expected to add 15 jobs when complete. The company currently employs 20." Maine Center for Entrepreneurs #maine #mainefood #foodeconomy #shoplocal #jobs #innovation

We're supporting Maine's workforce of tomorrow with unique programming to enhance internships, pre-apprenticeships, and experiential learning opportunities in Maine. In summer 2024, Maine Career Catalyst enrolled over 500 interns — our biggest cohort yet! This collaborative programming offers educational, social, and professional networking opportunities for participants, all while showcasing Maine as a preferred place to live AND work. 🙌 Read more about our Workforce Development impacts in our 2018-2023 Impact Report: https://lnkd.in/gXX3fN25 Educate Maine Live and Work in Maine #maine #workforcedevelopment #liveandworkinMaine #internships #experientiallearning

Last Friday, we brought together our incredible partners to reflect on program achievements and collaborate on fresh ideas for the year ahead! We're thankful to have a strong network of organizations joining us in strengthening Maine's Food and Bioscience Economies, and the workforce needed to sustain them. 🌱 🧬 🤝 A special thanks to Fork Food Lab for hosting us and for our delicious lunch from one of their members, Magno Terra! BIOME (Bioscience Association of Maine) CEI (Coastal Enterprises, Inc.) Educate Maine Live and Work in Maine Maine Aquaculture Association Maine Center for Entrepreneurs New England Ocean Cluster The Roux Institute at Northeastern University #focusmainepartners #network #economicdevelopment #buylocal

Food on the brain? Us too! 🍽️ From the land to the sea, the food sector is a key driver of Maine’s identity and its future. 🥕🦪 At FocusMaine, we’re proud to support the growth of Maine’s food economy. Our programs deliver the right resources at the right time, helping companies scale, innovate, and thrive. 🌱 Check out our 2018-2023 Impact Report to learn about our most impactful programs and hear from authentic Maine food producers who have participated in our programs. #maine #food #mainefood #foodeconomy #madeinmaine #shoplocal