Insider Newsletter
Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce
KennebecValleyChamber.com
August 2020
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Governor Janet Mills announced that MaineHousing will double its rental assistance from $500 to $1,000 through the COVID-19 Rental Relief Program beginning today, August 3rd. The Governor, who established the program with MaineHousing in April, is dedicating an initial $5 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) to support the expansion. The Governor also signed an
Executive Order
continuing expanded timeframe protections for renters in the evictions process.
Additionally, Governor Mills’ administration has eased the state’s 50-person limit on gatherings for outdoor spectator events, allowing up to 200 people to attend events with certain stipulations. There may be up to 200 attendees of outdoor spectator events, such as
sporting events, concerts and theatrical performances, as long as they are seated in separate areas with no more than 50 people each. The 50-person areas must allow for six feet of space between household groups, and each 50-person area must be 14 feet away from the other 50-person areas, with physical barriers erected between each area. Each area must have access to separate restrooms and concession facilities to prevent intermingling, and each area must have its own entrance and exit, or staggered entrance and exit times. The 50-person limit still applies to all indoor gatherings and spectator events. View the updated guidelines for outdoor spectator events
here.
The KV Chamber has created a
webpage
to keep our community up-to date on the situation regarding the spread of coronavirus and additional resources.
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Face Masks and Hand Sanitizer Available!
Does your business need PPE? The KV Chamber has masks and hand sanitizer available for our members! Please contact us at
info@kennebecvalleychamber.com
or by calling (207) 623-4559 so we can assist you with your needs.
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Beauty & the Beast: How Cosmetics Impact Eye Health
with Dr. Jessilin Quint, Smart Eye Care
Wednesday, August 12th | 12:00 - 1:00PM
$20 per person
KV Chamber Members will receive a $10 gift certificate to enjoy lunch on us!
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Dr. Jessilin Quint is an optometrist and co-owner of Smart Eye Care. She is passionate about quality eye care and specializes in treating diseases that affect the ocular surface. She recently co-founded the Smart Dry Eye Center of Excellence located in Augusta. The Smart Dry Eye Center’s mission is to identify the root cause of Dry Eye Disease rather than only treating the symptoms. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. In 2019, Dr. Quint received a Theia award for Young Optometrist of the Year for the USA and was recognized as Delta Zeta’s 35 under 35.
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IMPORTANT: Attendees must make the full payment prior to the event in order to receive the link to attend the digital event. KV Chamber Members will receive a $10 chamber gift certificate from our Shop Local program to enjoy lunch on us from a participating member!
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Thank you to our Women's Network Luncheon Sponsor!
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Thursday, August 20th
4:30 - 5:30PM
via Zoom Conference Line
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We miss you! Although we are not able to network together face-to-face, we are excited to catch up and network virtually! Our members and guests are invited to join us on
Thursday, August 20th
from
4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
for a virtual Business After Hours. Share updates on your business and reconnect with the KV Chamber!
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A Zoom conference line will be emailed to a
ttendees
after registering for the event.
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Thank you to our Business After Hours Sponsor!
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The Future is Now: Addressing Maine's Long-Term Challenges Amid COVID-19
with Hannah Pingree, Maine Office of Policy Innovation and Future
Wednesday, September 16th | 10:00-11:00AM
FREE for Members | $5 for Public
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Hannah Pingree was appointed to lead Governor Mill’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future in January 2019. Hannah previously served as Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives from 2008 to 2010. She also served as the Maine House Majority Leader, Chair of the Committee on Health and Human Services, and as a member of the Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs during her terms in Maine Legislature from 2002 - 2010. Hannah spearheaded successful legislation on energy, broadband, housing, environmental health, and health care during her time in office. Hannah has worked for a technology start-up in New York City; managed several family small businesses; led the development of rural housing, energy efficiency, and eldercare projects for a coalition of community non-profits; chaired her local school board; and served on numerous state and community non-profit boards.
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A Zoom conference line will be emailed to member a
ttendees
after registering for the event. Attendees from the public
must make the full payment prior to the event in order to receive the link to attend the digital event.
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Thank you to our Chamber Connection Sponsor!
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September 14th, 2020
The Meadows Golf Club
10:00 AM SHOTGUN START
Team "Scramble"
Registration is $130 per golfer or $520 per foursome
Register as an individual or as a team!
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Registration includes:
- The Meadows swag and snacks
- Greens fees
- Cart rental
- Lunch on the turn
- Entry for closest-to-the-pin
- Entry for hole-in-one
- Entry for longest drive
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Thank you to our Golf Sponsors!
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Exclusive Cart Sponsor
Central Maine Power
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Gold Sponsor
Macomber, Farr & Whitten
Skowhegan Savings Bank
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Snack Sponsor
PERFORMANCE Food Service - NorthCenter
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Hole Sponsors
Augusta Natural Gas
Cross Insurance
Ganneston Construction
Gibson LeClair, LLC
Free ME from Lung Cancer
Smart Eye Care
Sprague & Curtis Real Estate
Walton External Affairs
Vickerson Appraisal Services
Uncle Henry's
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Sturdy Production
John Sturtevant,
(207) 624-1913
Taylor, McCormack & Frame, LLC
Craig Nelson, (207) 430-8393
Whispering Woods Stables
Teresa Elvin, (207) 370-1150
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40+ Years
Pine Tree Veterinary Hospital
30+ Years
Augusta State Airport
20+ Years
Charlie's Honda | Kennebec Behavioral Health | Uncle Henry's
10+ Years
American Lung Association in Maine | Governor Hill Mansion | Grondin's Certified Cleaners | Nadeau Chiropractic | Viles Aroboretum | Winthrop Commerce Center
5+ Years
Fowler's Roofing & Construction | Free ME from Lung Cancer | Kennebec Physical Therapy | Magnusson Balfour Commerical & Business Brokers | Premier Marketing Group
Also Renewing
Augusta Natural Gas | Cloutier Carillo | FAME | First Amendment Museum | Gateway Retirement Solutions | Homewood Suites by Hilton Augusta | Management Plus, Inc. | One River CPAs | Sherin-Williams
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Augusta CareerCenter's Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors are currently seeking internship opportunities at local businesses in the Kennebec Valley area for local high school students who are looking to gain work ready skills and a career direction. The students participate in job tours, job shadows, and informational interviews with the employer as a first step to get to know the employers needs and learn about the business. If the work site is a good fit for the employer and student, the employer can choose to a host a work experience. If your business is interested in hosting a work experience or would like to learn more information, please contact Rachel Merriam at rachel.merriam@maine.gov or (207) 624-5104.
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Camden National Bank announced that it is now accepting nominations for the 2020 Leaders & Luminaries Awards, a program which started in 2011 to celebrate the importance and impact of effective nonprofit board service. Between now and September 14, the bank is seeking nominations for passionate board directors who have been invaluable to the short- and long-term sustainability of their organizations. The bank will select and present four individuals with awards and $20,000 in total grants to their respective organizations. For more details, eligibility requirements, and the nomination form, please visit: https://www.camdennational.com/leadersandluminaries.
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Children's Center Virtual Dinner Series: These are odd times - let's make the best of them with good food, good friends, and by
doing good!
With limited ability to gather in person these days, creative collaboration is a must and we hope these partnerships do good while also pleasing your palette. With one ticket to any of these events, you support two important local causes: our friends in the restaurant industry and children with disabilities. Each event involves a specially-crafted dining experience and a virtual program. A portion of your ticket pays the restaurant for their work; the remainder is a donation that translates directly into
early intervention services
for kids (birth to 5) with special needs.
Learn more, purchase tickets and donate at the following:
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Gardiner FCU Cash Calendar for Ending Hunger are available to be purchased now through August 31. Help end hunger and you could win $100 or more. $2,300 in Cash Prizes. Winner will be drawn each weekday in September. Calendars may be purchased at Gardiner FCU, or by printing the copy of the calendar posted on their website, gardinerfcu.org.
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Kennebec Savings Bank recently named six nonprofits throughout its service area as the recipients of its 2020 Catalyst Grants. Each recipient will receive a one-time $10,000 donation to help them continue to fulfill their missions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The recipients include Educare Central Maine of Waterville, Boys & Girls Club of Augusta, Kennebec Behavioral Health, Neighbors Driving Neighbors, Freeport Community Services, and Family Violence Project (FVP).
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Laflin & Wolfington Realty are pleased to welcome Chris Voynik to their team. Chris resides in Augusta with his wife, Sarah and three labrador retrievers. Chris enjoys golfing, water skiing, ice fishing and traveling. Chris and Sarah both enjoy volunteering in the Greater Augusta Area, even serving as 2020 Campaign Chairs for the United Way of Kennebec Valley. In addition to his commitment to serve his community through volunteer work with United Way, the Humane Society, and other non-profit organizations, Chris looks forward to applying his extensive business and customer service background to real estate. Welcome to the team, Chris!
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MaineGeneral Health's
signature events — Cancer Survivors Day and the Walk for Hope — are now combined into one exciting Day of Hope. This fall, we invite you to walk with us and to join us for an inspirational ceremony — virtually — toward a Day of Hope on Saturday, Oct. 3. The Day of Hope is an opportunity for us to come together in spirit and walk toward the common goal of supporting the work of the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care. For more details, visit http://give.mainegeneral.org/HOPE.
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Marshall Communications
Account Coordinators Emma Dimock and Kat Child joined Cynergy to present “10 Tips to Promote your Small Business During COVID-19: Embracing Adaptability, Empathy and Action” via a webinar on July 7. The webinar, which is based on an
eBook
by Marshall Communications CEO Nancy Marshall, focuses on how small businesses can navigate the challenging landscape following COVID-19, including: empathetically connecting with your customers during a time of upheaval, building and retaining your network through digital and social platforms, creating a sense of safety within brick-and-mortar stores, and more. The webinar is available to watch on
YouTube
. To find out more about Marshall Communications, or to get in touch with Emma and Kat, connect with them
here.
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New Dimensions FCU
has been ranked #1 as part of Forbes’ annual list of America’s Best-In-State Credit Unions in 2020. This prestigious award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The awards list was announced on June 25, 2020, and can currently be viewed on the Forbes website.
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Theater at Monmouth
’s
Shakespeare in Maine Communities
Tour will go on, though not in person as in previous years, but streaming virtually! Each fall and spring, TAM sends adaptations of classic literature on the road for students in Maine and New Hampshire. Through ShakesME, TAM has provided literature-based education tours in schools and community centers since 2005. For 2020, we’ll present Measure for Measure (for grades 5-12) to deepen understanding of, appreciation for, and connection to classic literature. Measure for Measure will be available to schools and community venues October 12- 31, 2020 (dates can be adjusted to fit curriculum schedules). Due to covid-19 concerns,
ShakesME
performances will be brought to schools via video with a Zoom Post-performance Discussion with the actors following.
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Alec Rogers, Chair*
Quality Inn & Suites Maine Evergreen Hotel
Leon Emery, Chair Elect*
Emery’s Meats & Produce
Earl Kingsbury, Vice Chair*
Augusta Civic Center
Matthew Tardiff, Treasurer*
J.S. McCarthy Printers
Nathan Cotnoir, Past Chair*
Camden National Bank
Chuck Hays, Past Treasurer*
MaineGeneral Health
Cathy DeMerchant, Human Resources*
Capital Area Staffing Solutions, Inc.
Katie Doherty, President & CEO*^
Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce
* Executive Committee ^ Full -Time Executive
Karen Boston
Lipman & Katz, P.A.
Lori Dube
Sprague & Curtis Real Estate
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Elisa Ellis, Special Counsel
Ellis Law, LLC
Sue Grenier
G&E Roofing Co., Inc.
Eric Jermyn
Cross Insurance Agency
Steven Marson
Central Maine Pyrotechnics
Stacey Morrison
Ganneston Construction Corp.
Richard Parkhurst
Stained Glass Express
Michele Pelletier
Performance Foodservice - NorthCenter
Lynn Quirion
Macomber, Farr & Whitten
Andrew Silsby
Kennebec Savings Bank
Eric Stinneford
Central Maine Power Company
Tim Walton
Walton External Affairs
Rebecca Wyke
University of Maine at Augusta
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