October InTouch

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InTouch

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2012

U.S. Senate Candidates’ Forum October 23, 2012 at Waterville Opera House 6-7:30PM 2012 U.S. Senate Candidates’ forum will be moderated by Laurie Lachance, president of Thomas College. President Lachance will conduct the forum by asking each candidate questions of importance to Maine citizens around business and economic issues, and responses will be of equal time. This event is free and open to the public.

Highlights in this Issue: P. 2: From the President’s Chair P. 2: Mid-Maine Chamber’s Centennial P. 4: Member Events Calendar P. 6: CMGC: Wealth Strategies P. 8: Member Spotlight: Kaplan University

Leading Women's Luncheon

October 25, 2012 11:30AM Networking Noon Luncheon at Best Western Plus 375 Main Street, Waterville Speaker: Sara Burns, president of Central Maine Power, will present her path to success & her struggles along the way. Men and Women are welcome.

Danny Dalton Non-Party

Cynthia Dill Democrat

Andrew Dodge Independent for Liberty

$20 for members who pre-register $25 registration at the door $25 general admission Includes luncheon buffet. Email biz.dev@midmainechamber.com or call 873-3315 to register. Major Sponsor: Angus King Independent for Maine

Charles Summers Republican

Stephen Woods Independent

50 ELM STREET, WATERVILLE, ME 04901 • TEL: (207) 873-3315 • FAX: (207) 877-0087 info@midmainechamber.com • www.midmainechamber.com Nikki Desjardins, Chair of the Board • Kimberly N. Lindlof, President & CEO


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From the President’s Chair JOBS? QUALIFIED WORK-

Business After Hours:

Veilleux’s Funeral Home & Are You Ready To Party??

FORCE? Which comes first? To that end, the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce is Bowdoin Photography working with local businesses and area educators to satisfy the needs of both. As a free member benefit you may post your available positions on our website. It’s easy! Email Robyn at biz.dev@midmainechamber.com to get your username and password. Help me to educate our future workforce so our students of today can see first hand the skills they are going to need to thrive professionally. I’ll be reaching out to you in the upcoming week to seek your participation to achieve this goal. I’ll be coordinating bus tours with Waterville, Winslow and Jobs for Maine's Graduates in midNovember as well as setting up mock interviews with students in late November.

- Kimberly

8 Elm Street, Waterville October 17th 5:30-7:00 PM Sponsored by:

Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Door prizes, 50/50 raffle & other fabulous prizes! $100’s in Chamber Gift Certificates will be given away to one lucky winner in celebration of 100 years! Thank you to our 50/50 Sponsor:

Mid-Maine Chamber’s Centennial

Charlie Haberstock is 8 years old and has a business card collection of over 1,400 cards. He likes to know about each business and asks many questions so he decided to help us by interviewing some area businesses. Below are excerpts from his interview. Charlie received a little help from his mom, Carrie Haberstock.

Tucked in to a historic corner of Water-

Colby students assisted MMCC on C2IT day. Thank you Colby College!

ville lies the oldest continuously open family run furniture store in central Maine, Hamelin Furniture Company. In the 1890's, traveling jewelry salesman, Eugene James Hamelin, sold his inventory while passing through Waterville after learning his company went out of business and settled on the corner of South Street and Western Avenue, then called Mill Street. "In those days," says grandson, John Hamelin, "it was common for salespeople to go door to door asking homeowners what they needed. My grandfather started to buy furniture from craftsmen, (usually funeral directors built when 'times were quiet'), store the pieces at home

and then deliver them to homeowners by horse and cart. Soon he had built his business up to where there was a demand for more storage space. He had a two story barn built behind his house which stands, 100 years later, in the same location and now serves as display space for the company. The city grew up around us filling in the farm fields. The old trolley tracks that lead to town are still under Western Avenue." Thus began the family run retail store. Five generations as of today, they supply quality furniture from Maine, New England, and the rest of the United States. They work with manufacturers who stand by their products and, because they have low overhead, they can offer affordable prices. "We are unique in that we are an old furniture company that works with customers not as a number," says John, "We do not have delivery days. Our truck goes out whenever there is an order, and we are here if our customers need us. Continued on page 5 Full Service Office Supplies Retail Store and Furniture Showroom in Downtown, Skowhegan

The Paper Klip New & Used Furniture

166 College Ave., PO Box 215 Waterville, ME 04903-0215 www.az-cpa.com

www.taconnet.com Serving Kennebec & Somerset Counties With Products and Services For Your Entire Family Winslow Skowhegan 207-872-7909

207-474-2254

A Local, Independent, FamilyOwned & Operated Company www.WarrensOfficeSuppplies.com 800.924.9006


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Waterville Main Street is pleased to announce that Jennifer Olsen has accepted the position of executive director. Olsen has served as the executive director of Main Street Skowhegan since March of 2010, and in that time, has achieved a number of successes, including developing a downtown strategic plan, leading and implementing a communitywide branding initiative, and helping the town secure a $400,000 Communities for Maine’s Future grant to redesign the pedestrian corridors in downtown. Welcome!

Waterville Police Department announces the following recent promotions: Duane Cloutier to the rank of detective; Jennifer Weaver, Alden Weigelt and Lincoln Ryder to the rank of sergeant.

Kennebec Savings Bank recently announced the addition of Katie Coughlin Vickers to the bank’s Heather Hodgkins was recently hired in Defamily of employees. Hired as vice velopment for Good Will-Hinckley. Welcome president & commercial banking officer, Heather! Katie’s primary responsibility will be cash management and small business relationships. MaineGeneral Health announced that effective January 1, 2013, Chuck Hays eWaste Recycling Solutions, LLC, announcwill take over as CEO of MaineGenes the hiring of Al Ahlers as its environmental eral Health and will assume overall responsi- compliance manager and Leo Amaral as its bility for the leadership of the state’s third operations manager. Ahlers is in charge of largest health care system. Scott Bullock will implementing and executing ERS’ environstep down as CEO but will remain as Presimental management system. Amaral oversees dent and, over the next few years, will focus ERS’ transportation, warehouse and recycling on supporting Hays with policy and planning operations. issues, physician recruitment, community and governmental relations and fund-raising. Summit Natural Gas Michelle Moorman 1-800-720-8193 7810 Shaffer Parkway, Suite 120 Littleton, CO 80127 www.summitmaine.com mmoorman@summitutilitiesinc.com

Welcome Wagon Rhonda Picard 207-314-3533 Rhonda.picard@welcomewagon.com

Maine Technology Group Tracy Gervais 100 Pleasant Street Waterville, ME 04901 207-692-0954 tracy@mainetechgroup.com www.mainetechgroup.com

www.welcomewagon.com 3 Old Quarry Road Vassalboro, ME 04989 Voted The #1 Electrical Contractor For Greater Waterville Area for 2011!

“OUR PRICES WON’T SHOCK YOU!” Quality Lighting Fixtures

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Andre Giguere will now be teaching tennis lessons full time at Champions Fitness Club in Waterville. Since 2005, Andre has been teaching and in 2008, became a certified instructor through the Professional Tennis Registry. Congratulations to Wayne Gendreau of Accounting Solutions who recently received "A Community Award" by the Waterville Board of Education for his time and contributions to the George J Mitchell Before/After School Child Care Program. Ambreen Ijaz, MD, a medical oncologist at MaineGeneral’s Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care, has been named one of two national chairs of the bladder disease committee for Via Pathways. Dan Brown began his duties as a career Firefighter/Driver for the Waterville Fire Department recently and Allison Brochu started with the City of Waterville’s Finance Department as a Finance Clerk I.

Mid-Maine Regional Adult Community Education Susan Tuthill 207-873-5754 1 Brooklyn Avenue Waterville, ME 04901 stuthill@aos92.org midmaine.maineadulted.org

Common Street Arts Emilie Knight 207-577-2488 16 Common Street Waterville, ME 04901 info@commonstreetarts.com commonstreetarts.com Northeast Coffee Company Dan Davis 207-474-3321 1033 Waterville Road Skowhegan, ME 04976 dandavis@northeastcoffeeco.com www.northeastcoffeeco.com


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October 3: Kaplan University will be hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the new location in Augusta at 14 Marketplace Dr., Augusta from 10AM-12PM. October 13: Family Hike with Kennebec Messalonskee Trails in October 5: Maine State Chamber of Com- Oakland at 10AM. Join them for a merce’s Annual Dinner, a celebration in hon- beautiful fall hike along the Messaor of U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe at the lonskee Stream Trail. Options for Augusta Civic Center, 4:30PM. FMI & to all ages and abilities. Sign up for the Inland register: http://events.mainechamber.org. Hospital’s Let’s Go! Family Fun Series and register to win a $500 LLBean gift card! October 6 & 7: REM Craft Fair & Soup FMI: inlandhospital.org or 861-3292. Fest at Champions Fitness Club in Waterville. 10AM-6PM SaturOctober 13: Comedian Bob Marley at 7PM day & 10AM-3PM Sunday. & 9PM at Waterville Opera House. FMI: www.operahouse.org. October 8: Unity College will host a Passive House Academy training class from 2October 13: American Red Cross Blood 5:30PM. Passive House standards, which Drive 9AM-2PM in the Medical Arts Conferoriginate in Darmstadt, Germany are charac- ence Room, Inland Hospital. terized by super insulation, air tight construc- Call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visit tion and fully mechanized ventilation and americanredcross.org to sign up represent a savings in building energy costs today. Please bring a photo ID: of 80-90%. FMI & to register: walk-ins also welcome. www.passivehouseacademy.com, Naomi C.O. Beal at 710-9478 or ncobphoOctober 16: The Kennebec to@me.com. Montessori School will hold a Parent Workshop on the Montessori curriculum at 6:30 October 10: The IRS is putting on a Small p.m. Discover how preschool children learn Business Workshop: Reaching Out To Small to read and write the Montessori way. Ideal Business Owners About Taxes from 5:30for prospective parents; all are welcome. 7PM Videoconferencing technology will be FMI: 453-6055; provided by the following sponsoring librar- www.kennebecmontessori.org . ies which will allow participation at these locations: Maine State Library Augusta; York October 20 & 21: Come to Downtown Public Library York; Portland Public Library Waterville for a day of family fun at Harvest Portland; Pittsfield Public Library Pittsfield; Fest. Hay rides, scarecrow building, family Norway Public Library Norway; Lewiston pumpkin carving, pumpkin Public Library Lewiston; Skowhegan Free bowling, candy apple making, Public Library Skowhegan; pony rides and more! FMI: Thompson Free Library www.watervillemainstreet.org. Dover Foxcroft; Carey Library Houlton; Cherryfield October 20: Inland Pops Concert, 7PM at Public Library Cherryfield. the Waterville Opera House. FMI: www.operahouse.org.

Oct. 20: Jane of All Trades Hardy Girls Healthy Women Meet the women of Women Unlimited who will teach us about women in the fields of carpentry, construction and more. Learn how the trades help the environment. In this adventure girls will work together to construct their very own bat house! Location: Hardy Girls, 14 Common St., Waterville. October 27: Join Hardy Girls Healthy Women as they get out their broomsticks, cauldrons and sneakers for a Hardy Girls Halloween Event - the 4th Annual Freaky 5K Fun Run at Colby College. There will be awards and prizes for Scariest Costume, Most Creative Costume, Biggest Team, and Top Fund-raiser. Plus a short fun run for kids 8 and younger! Come show us your best and scariest costumes! FMI & to register: http://www.hghw.org/ November 2: Alfond Youth Charity Ball at 7:30PM. All proceeds benefit community youth by providing scholarships in the Alfond Youth Center’s After School Program, Kid’s Kitchen, Summer Enrichment Program & Camp Tracy. November 3: Annual Corpus Christi Harvest Dance at the Waterville Elks Club. Hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, raffle and door prizes. DJ Steve Colella. FMI & tickets: 872-2281. November 3: Kennebec Montessori School will hold its 25th Annual Auction at the Winslow VFW. Social hour begins at 5PM; Dinner catered by Eric's; live music and cash bar. Professional auctioneer Mike Fredericks. Oodles of items donated by local business as well as handcrafted goods and services. Tickets are $15/25 per couple. All are welcome. All proceeds benefit KMS. FMI: 453-6055; www.kennebecmontessori.org.


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Business Workshops at the Waterville Public Library By Tammy Rabideau

The Waterville Public Library Business & Career Center (WPLBCC) will host the following business workshops in October and November 2012. Preregistration is necessary. Please contact Tammy Rabideau at 680.2611 or business@watervillelibrary.org for more information. Understanding Your Business Numbers: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. You do your bookkeeping, regularly recording transactions, but are you getting useful information back? In this workshop we’ll review the most common financial statements, where the numbers come from, what they mean and how they can help you manage your business. Instructor: Janet Roderick, Maine SBDC Certified Business Counselor. Three Keys of Email Marketing: Wednesday, Oct. 17, 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. In this brief session participants will discover how communicating with customers regularly can help a small business stay connected and generate increased referrals, repeat sales, and unwavering customer loyalty. Facilitator: Tracy O’Clair. Social Media Marketing 101: Wednesday, Oct. 17, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. This introductory session covers strategies and best practices to get the most out of social media activities. Discussion will include creating good content for social media marketing campaigns, incorporating social media marketing into business without losing productivity, and more. Facilitator: Tracy O’Clair. QuickBooks 101: Tuesday, Oct. 23, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. This session will cover the fundamentals of QuickBooks Pro. How to set it up, write checks, invoice customers, receive payments and pay bills. We’ll also review reports that you

Centennial

can easily produce to let you know how your business is doing. This workshop is designed for people who have not yet started using QuickBooks. Instructor: Janet Roderick, Maine SBDC Certified Business Counselor. Marketing Strategy Development: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Marketing is more than advertising. Every business should have a marketing strategy to help you reach your target market effectively, efficiently and inexpensively. We’ll discuss how to develop your marketing strategy. Instructor: Janet Roderick, Maine SBDC Certified Business Counselor. Power of Email Marketing: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Email is the most cost-effective, targeted, trackable, and efficient way to build and maintain relationships for all types of business and organizations. In this session participants will discover how communicating with customers regularly can help a small business stay connected, and generate increased referrals, repeat sales, and unwavering customer loyalty. Facilitator: Tracy O’Clair. QuickBooks Intermediate: Tuesday, Nov. 27, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. This session will address your most pressing QuickBooks questions. It will also cover: Tricky Transactions, Working with Reports, Advanced Features, Tips and Tricks. Please be ready with your specific questions and issues. This seminar is designed for those who have been using QuickBooks for at least 6 months. Instructor: Janet Roderick, Maine SBDC Certified Business Counselor. Tammy Rabideau is Business & Career Center Coordinator at the Waterville Public Library. FMI: 207.680.2611, trabideau@watervillelibrary.org.

Continued from page 2

Our customers are our first priority and our most valued form of advertisement is word-of-mouth. Being a member of the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce helps us to get our information to our customers, to gain new customers and to stay involved and connected with the businesses in our surroundings. We have been a member since 2001.” Be sure to stop by and relax in the many high quality varieties of sofas, chairs and mattresses. "One customer," says John, "fell asleep while sampling our mattress selection and her husband could not find her until he heard her snoring!" Mom and I liked the reclining mattress with built in massage features!

Prime Financial You dream it... We help you realize it Prime Financial has become the trusted partner for many clients, both in Maine and across the country. We understand that each stage in life presents unique challenges and opportunities. We also know that wherever you are in life – expanding your business, adding to your family, looking forward to your retirement or any stage in between – being prepared for change is crucial to future growth. Contact us today for a personalized consultation in regard to your financial future. Securities offered through Investors Capital Corporation Member FINRA / SIPC

Charlie sampling one of the many varieties of beds with a friend at Hamlin Furniture Company.

12 Monument St Winslow, Me 04901 207-872-2636

www.wcfcu.com

COMMUNITY PEOPLE YOU KNOW


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CMGC: WEALTH Strategies for Economic Growth By Darryl Sterling Having completed my first year with Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC), I have had the opportunity to take a “fresh eyes” approach to identify the region’s economic strengths and weaknesses and identify strategies to support economic growth. The members of the Board of Directors have created a Strategic Plan that outlines the changing focus of CMGC for the next two years. Goals and priorities established include: Organization & Administration; Financial Stability & Sustainability; Alliances & Partnerships; and Regional Growth Strategy. As we achieve the outlined steps of the Plan, we should see a corresponding growth and strengthening of the economy of central Maine. Priority 1: Organization & Administration: The purpose is to bring new members and enthusiasm to the CMGC and its Board of Directors and strengthen the organization’s delivery system to shape its future. Priority 2: Financial Stability & Sustainability: For CMGC to continue to lead the region on the path to economic growth, it must be able to stabilize and sustain operations through active participation and financial investment from private enterprise and continued public sector support. Priority 3: Alliances & Partnerships: CMGC will need to build strong connections with municipalities, local organiza-

tions, and private enterprise; and strengthen partnerships with Colby, Thomas, KVCC, Unity, and UMaine Augusta to be successful in leading entrepreneurship and economic development efforts in the region. Priority 4: Regional Growth Strategy & Focus: CMGC must take the reins in the implementation of a regional strategic plan, followed by a marketing plan. CMGC has identified six areas of concentration that would enhance existing businesses, attract new businesses, and encourage investment. Those areas are: Workforce & Education; Entrepreneurship & Arts/Culture; Logistics & Transportation; Technology & Energy; and Healthcare. We refer to this as our “WEALTH” strategy. There is more to our “WEALTH” strategy than just an acronym. It represents work in the trenches, creating opportunities, marketing our region, and connecting people and resources. There is a lot of economic development activity happening now in the region. At times we will take the lead in driving initiatives, and at other times, we will help clear the path for others who are leading positive change. Economic growth and stability is a collaborative effort that will require the efforts of many to guarantee success. FMI: 680-7300 dsterling@centralmaine.org www.centralmaine.org.

Oct 2

Tue.

8:00 AM

Oct 18

Thurs. 11:30 AM

Oct 24

Wed. 8:00 AM

Oct 26

Fri.

7:30 AM

Nov 1

Thur.

12:00 PM

Dec 5

Wed.

7:30 AM

Bus. Attraction & Retention Chamber Boardroom BBS Committee Thomas College Membership Chamber Boardroom Board of Directors Retreat Waterville Opera House Info Services Mei Dream Public Policy Chamber Boardroom

Upcoming Events October 11: Business Breakfast Series 7:30-9 AM Thomas College U.S. House of Representatives Candidates’ Forum Maine State Senate President, Kevin Raye (confirmed) and Congressman Mike Michaud (invited). October 17: Business After Hours 5:30-7 PM Veilleux’s Funeral Home & Are You Ready To Party?? 8 Elm Street, Waterville October 23: U.S. Senate Candidates’ Forum 6 PM Waterville Opera House 93 Main Street, Waterville October 25: Leading Women’s Luncheon 11:30AM-1PM Best Western Plus 375 Main Street, Waterville

Chamber Tips of the Month Did you know that you can post “Hot Deals” and “Job Postings” on our Web site at no charge? Did you know you can purchase Ads on our Web site for just $10 per thousand views (minimum $50) for a skyscraper ad or $2 per thousand views (minimum $20) for a block ad? Email biz.dev@midmainechamber.com for details.

27 Cool Street • Waterville, ME 04901 (207) 873-0721 • Fax (207) 877-2287 www.genesishcc.com Rehabilitation and Living Centers


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AAA Travel & Insurance currently offers Maine license renewal and replacement for Class C. Must be within 6 months of expiring, bring a birth certificate or passport, license and social security number. Open M-F 8:30-5PM & Saturday 9AM-1PM. FMI: 207-873-0692 Congratulations to BONNEY Staffing Center that recently won MEMIC's Safety Management Award for overall safety performance and claims management. Somerset Economic Development Corporation recently announced the receipt of a $150,000 grant from the Sewall Foundation to grant funds to area farmers, value added food processors and distributors affiliated with the Skowhegan Food Hub and Somerset Grist Mill projects. The 2012 Sewall grant will be used in conjunction with a $25,000 grant SEDC received form the Betterment Fund to assist farmers and food processors to increase their capacity and efficiencies in the production of locally grown and processed foods for distribution both within the region and to markets outside of the region.

jump ropes and more. FMI: Lisa Deane, lisa@championsfitnessclub.com. recycle just about everything – even vacuum cleaners! You’ll be amazed at what you can recycle. FMI: cmartin@infotechexchange.org. Want a free T-Shirt? Then join Silver Street Tavern’s Mug Club and be entered into its monthly drawings only offered to its Mug Club members. FMI: contact anyone at SST. United Way of Mid-Maine kicked off its fall Annual Giving Campaign recently at Spectrum Generations in Waterville and announced a fund-raising goal of $782,000. Melissa Higgins, of Northeast Labs and United Way Board chair, highlighted United Way’s mission which is to improve people’s lives. It focuses on 4 very specific areas in assisting its most vulnerable community members: basic needs like food & shelter, financial literacy & stability, school readiness & life skills, and health & wellness. This year’s Campaign Chairs are Michael & Debbie Byrne of Century 21 Surette Real Estate.

Check out Maine’s new Energy Office Web site: www.Maine.gov/energy, which provides a home heating calculator as well as comprehensive information and data on energy issues, incentives, initiatives, reports, policies and costs. The Web site offers an interactive Home Heating Calculator that allows consumers to estimate their average annual heating costs and presents the price impacts of various energy sources. Interested in hosting an off-site meeting in a clean, newly renovated, affordable facility? Check out the Waterville Opera House. Waterville Opera House is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Waterville, and can offer breakout rooms. It is fully handicapped accessible and offers a variety of audio/video capabilities. FMI: 873-7000 or athibodeau@operahouse.org.

KVCC has been awarded a $736,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for its new Energy Services and Technology program to produce more qualified technicians Kelly Services announces that CONGRATULATIONS to the following Mid- to meet the growing demand from MaineOct. 5 is National Manufacturing Maine Chamber members who are finalists in based energy services employers who need Day. Manufacturing Day is for the 2012 Best workers that possess a combination of crossstudents, parents, educators, mePlaces to Work: cutting technical skills and the ability to probdia, customers, suppliers and the community at Bangor Savings lem-solve complex, systemic issues. large. Visitors will learn about real career op- Bank, BONNEY Staffing Center, Maine portunities, training, and resources. In addiSavings Federal Credit Union and Oxford Networks announced that Joe Hodge, tion, manufacturers will learn about business Skowhegan Savings Bank. The Best Places vice president data center and IT solutions, and improvement resources and services delivered To Work banquet will be held on Oct. 11 at Dave Johnson, senior data center engineer, through manufacturing extension partnerships. the Ramada Inn, Lewiston. received IBM PureFlex certification in both FMI: http://www.mfgday.com. the sales and technical designations. The IBM Pine View Homes was awarded with the Best PureFlex system is an infrastructure system Dairy Queen has added a smoothie in Show for vendors at the 2012 Windsor Fair. that provides an integrated computing system shop, Orange Julius at the 161 combining servers, storage, networking, virtuCollege Ave., Waterville location. Champions Fitness Club is happy to alization and management into a single platannounce that it will be offering a speform. Check out www.skillsrecycling.org for a cial room for cross training, which will search tool that offers advice on how to include pull up bars, dip bars, kettle bells,


PRE-SORTED STANDARD

50 Elm Street Waterville, ME 04901

U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #146 Waterville, ME 04901

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Kaplan University Opens in Augusta

aplan University, a leader in higher education innovation, recently opened a third Maine location in Augusta, which will help meet the growing demands for adult learners and area employers. The Augusta facility operating out of the former Staples building at 14 Marketplace Drive, near Regal Cinemas, has several classrooms and computer labs, plus specialty laboratory areas for Nursing, Medical Assisting, and Criminal Justice firearms simulation. Kaplan University Maine President Dr. Christopher Quinn said the new location will give Augusta-area students more options and Kaplan more access to a large population center. "It's really to expand on our mission here in Maine in terms of servicing non-traditional students, working adults who want to come back and give themselves more opportunity in a new career," Quinn said. The Augusta location started classes in September with classroom, online and blended

will require post-secondary education. As the state’s population ages, it’s vitally important programs that that working age adults in Maine have a colmirror the lege education to meet the growing demand.” associate’s Kaplan has very career-focused programbachelor’s and ming and offers college degrees that are relemaster’s programs offered in South Portland vant to the job market which will help people and Lewiston, such as accounting, business get a job after graduation. The university also administration, criminal justice, early childdistinguishes itself with exceptional student hood development, medical assisting and para- services, which are very personalized and exlegal studies. tremely proactive. The opportunity to take "We work closely with local employers to classes during the day or evening sessions, concentrate our programs in disciplines that starting every ten weeks, also provides workprepare students for work in fields that reflect ing adults with the flexibility to go back and the employment needs of the community," get their college degree. said President Quinn. “The recent investment Kaplan University leaders have stated that underscores Kaplan University’s committhey are quite eager to collaborate with their ment to meet the growing needs of both adult peers from all the colleges and universities in learners and local employers. Our expanKennebec County, and they are committed to sion comes at a critical time for Maine’s eco- providing employers with top quality, worknomic future as in-demand jobs increasingly place readied graduates.

Have some news you would like to share? Submit a short announcement to the Chamber office by the 3rd Friday of the prior month. Inserts are also available for $125 per month. Call 873-3315 or email info@midmainechamber.com. Disclaimer: The Mid-Maine Chamber’s InTouch newsletter is published monthly as a benefit to members and affiliates. All member news is compiled and submitted solely by our members; therefore, we reserve the right to omit and/or edit as appropriate, and cannot guarantee complete accuracy of all announcements. Sponsorship inserts do not necessarily reflect the position of the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce.
















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