Chamber Connection - Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Connection
December 2015
Area Events
October 2015
Wilder’s Jewelry Store
12/16 - Snowshoe Making Book Signing
12/17 - Ladies Night Out Wintergreen
12/19 - Audobon Christmas Bird Count
12/25 - Merry Christmas
12/26 - Happy Kwanzaa
12/27-12/29 - Fort Kent Outing Club Ski
Festival
1/01 - Audobon Christmas Bird Count
1/01-1/10 Fort Kent Regional Biathlon
Competition
1/20 - Eggs N’ Issues
1/28 - CACC Annual Awards & Dinner
2/12-2/14 - Maine Quebec Caravan
2/17 - Eggs N’ Issues
Tell us about a recent
Customer Service Experience
and
nominate the business you want to
recognize.
Nominations are due by the 25th of
each Month
And can be made by calling the
Chamber at 764-6561
Or by emailing us at
lfrederick@centralaroostookchamber.com
2016 Board of Directors
Sarah Brooks
Bobbie-Jo Caron
Marcel Daigle
Greg Doak
Nola Farley
William Getman *
Karen Gonya *
Jonathan Isacco
Kim Jones
Shawn Lahey *
Shelley McAtee *
Jim McKenney
Laurie Nelson
Bonnie Pack
Justin Pelletier
Floyd Rockholt *
Karen St. Peter *
Sherry Sullivan
Miles Williams *
* Indicates member of Executive Board
*Monthly Meetings*
Chamber Board Meetings are typically the
SECOND Thursday of each Month.
During the winter they are at the
Chamber office.
During the spring and summer months we like to
visit members in the community.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
TO SEE COMPLETE INFO ON THE ABOVE EVENTS!
http://www.centralaroostookchamber.com
If you would like to see your event in our newsletter
or on our website please contact us at:
Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce
207-764-6561
3 Houlton Rd., Presque Isle, ME 04769; Phone (207)764-6561, Fax (207)764-1583, www.centralaroostookchamber.com
Thank You to all
RENEWING MEMBERS
For your continued support!
The Central Aroostook Chamber of
Commerce is only as strong as its
membership.
ACE Rent A Car
Acme-Monaco Corporation
Ben’s Trading Post, LLC
Big Cheese Pizza
Bonanza Family Restaurant
Bread of Life Bulk Foods & Specialty Store
Duncan Graves & Lancaster Morgan Funeral
Homes
EDP Renewables North America, LLC
HoganTire, Inc.
Kitchen & Bath Shop
MOJO Outdoor Sports
Northeast Trophy & Embroidery/Norogala
Ribbons
Pat’s Pizza
Pen Air
Portland Glass
Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center
R & B Cabins
Rathbun Lumber Co.
Rod Brewer Designs, Inc.
TD Bank
Townsquare Media: Big Country 96.9,Q96.1,
101.9 The Rock
University of Maine at Presque Isle
Please Join the
Central Aroostook
Chamber of Commerce
January 28, 2016
For
2016 Annual
Dinner & Awards
5:30 p.m. Social
Dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center
Mystery Box Shopping
Live Auction
Music by Heath Bartley
How to contact your representatives:
2015 Elected Officials
U.S. Senator
Susan Collins—[R]
25 Sweden Street
Caribou, ME 04736
207-493-7873
U.S. Senator
Angus King—[I]
169 Academy Street—A
Maine State Senators
Senate District 1—Peter Edgecomb—[R] 207-287-1505
Senate District 2—Michael Willette—[R] 207-287-1507
Maine State Representatives
District 146—Dustin White [R—Washburn] 207-227-8756
District 147—Robert Saucier [D—Presque Isle] 207-227-1160
District 148—Anthony Edgecomb [R—Fort Fairfield] 207-484-8119
District 151—John Martin [D—Eagle Lake] 207-834-7568
U.S Representative
Bruce Poliquin—[R]
445 Main Street
Presque Isle, ME 04769
207-764-1968
Presque Isle, ME 04769
207-764-5124
Chamber Connection
Page 2
Partnership and NMDC win
Innovation Award for
Forest Cluster work
WASHINGTON, DC - The Northern Maine
Development Commission (NMDC) received a 2015
Innovation Award from the National Association of
Development Organizations (NADO) Research
Foundation for the Northern Maine Forest Products
Industry Cluster.
The cluster, organized by the Aroostook
Partnership and supported by NMDC through grants
from the Maine Technology Institute and USDA
Rural Development, explores opportunities and
challenges in the industry in order to develop
actionable items to maximize the growth potential
for this key sector in Aroostook's economy.
"The Partnership is very proud of the Forest
Cluster effort which was a direct outcome of the
Mobilize Northern Maine asset-based process,"
stated Bob Dorsey, the Partnership President. "It is
a perfect example of the private sector leadership
working in collaboration with education and the
public sector who secured grants for the
advancement of this critical economic sector in
Aroostook County."
NADO is a Washington, DC-based association
that promotes programs and policies that strengthen
local governments, communities, and economies
through regional cooperation, program delivery, and
comprehensive strategies. The association's
Innovation Awards program recognizes regional
development organizations and partnering
organizations for improving the economic and
community competitiveness of our nation's regions
and local communities. Award-winning projects
were honored during NADO's 2015 Annual Training
Conference, held October 24-27 in New Orleans,
LA.
"For nearly 30 years, NADO's Innovation Award
has provided regional development organizations
the opportunity to be recognized for their hard work
and dedication to promoting economic development
in rural and small metropolitan communities across
the country. Building on the unique strengths and
challenges of each region and community, award
recipients continue to promote sustainable
economic growth not only now, but for many years
to come. And I am pleased to announce that this
year over 100 regional development organizations
were selected to receive NADO's 2015 Innovation
Award," said NADO 2014-2015 Board President
Terry Bobrowski, Executive Director of the East
Tennessee Development District in Alcoa, TN.
For more information about the award-winning
project, contact Jon Gulliver at Northern Maine
Development Commission at (207) 498-8736. .
Welcome to our
Newest Chamber
Members!
Stewart Law Office
Call the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce
today
to learn more about Chamber Blue Options 2016 health plans
for your employees!
207-764-6561
info@centralaroostookchamber.com
“I’m a Member, Now What?”
For some businesses, being a member of the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce
(CACC) is second nature. For others, they have a hard time seeing the value in their investment.
What does the Central Aroostook chamber of Commerce actually do? The mission states: To
serve, advance and publicize the commercial, agricultural and civic interests of Aroostook
County with special emphasis on our 13 member communities. Though seemingly simple, the
mission is multi-faceted: it involves Business Networking, Education, Economic & Community
Development and Community Events.
Business Networking: This may be the most well-known opportunity for our members. Along
with our monthly newsletter, we have advertising opportunities, we give business referrals and
we are often the first information resource that new businesses seek out when considering
Central Aroostook County.
Education: The Centr al Aroostook Chamber of Commerce hosts monthly
Breakfast Meetings to meet the State of Maine Commissioners. The CACC also joins other local
institutions and businesses to provide forums for discussion on local issues.
Economic & Community Development: One of the main objectives of the Centr al
Aroostook Chamber of Commerce is to make Aroostook County a place where people want to
live and work. The Chamber is the liaison between our region, the State of Maine and the nation.
We work to accentuate the positive aspects of our region to those near and far.
4. Community Events: If you live or wor k near Aroostook County, then you have most
certainly been exposed to one of the numerous community events that the Central Aroostook
Chamber of Commerce hosts. The Annual Dinner in January, The Maine Quebec Caravan in
February, City-Wide Yard Sale and Strawberry Shortcake Sale in June, Potato Booth at the
Northern Maine Fair in July, Crown of Maine Balloon Fest in August, Haunted Woods Walk and
Aroostook County Brew Fest in October and the Holiday Light Parade in December are all
opportunities for your business to participate and gain exposure in events that draw people from
all over the State of Maine.
You membership is important to your community AND your business—utilize it! Call us today
at 207-764-6561 and connect with us to access all the resources available to you!
Original article by Cynthia Ross appeared in the Business Insider, a publication of the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber Connection
Page 5
Central Aroostook Chamber
of Commerce
Opportunities to be Involved
CACC has several committees in which
members of the community and businesses in
the area are welcome to help plan and
participate while learning what the Chamber
does.
In addition to the above event planning committees
January—Annual Awards Dinner
February—Maine Quebec Caravan
June—Area Wide Yard Sale
June—Strawberry Shortcake Sale
August—Crown of Maine Balloon Fest
October—Haunted Woods Walk
October—Rocktoberfest Brew Fest
December—Holiday Light Parade
there are also committees essential to the basic
operation of the Chamber. Anyone with an interest
in the success and future of the Chamber is
encouraged to become involved through committee
participation.
The Public Relations and Membership committees
meet regularly throughout the year. There are
possibilities for several other committees such as
Property Maintenance and Seminar Planning to
develop if people are interested.
First Friday of Every Month at
Participating Businesses
Event Committees meet seasonally at a frequency
determined necessary by the committee.
Now is a good time to join and help make a
difference in your Chamber and community.
For more information please contact
Theresa Fowler at:
tfowler@centralaroostookchamber.com
or 764-6561.
Chamber Connection
Page 6
Chamber Checks
Program
We are thrilled to announce that we have sold over $16,000 in Chamber checks which will be distributed as gifts through the Holiday
Season.
We want to ensure that all members understand the program so your staff will be informed.
I have attached voided samples of the checks for your information. They are regular business size, fully encoded checks. The checks
will be signed by Lynnette Frederick or Theresa Fowler. They are being issued in $ 10, $15, $25 and $50 denominations. At the time of
use the checks will be dated and made payable to the receiving business. The check will be accepted at its full face value and any
required change will be given to the client. For simplicity they will be considered like cash until the bank deposit is being made.
Your business will then deposit the check in your bank deposit like any other check received for payment from a client.
The checks have gone through a duplicate printing process to make them protected against forgery.
Like Gift Certificates the money from the purchase will be placed in a specific account and held. There are no printed expiration dates as
they will expire 6 month after the check is presented for purchases, not 6 months from date of purchase here at the Chamber.
We are hoping that this project will encourage support of local businesses. There will be a list of businesses which have agreed to accept
these checks as forms of payment sent with each purchased check. Local businesses will be given window decals to advertise that they
accept these checks for payment as well.
If you have any concerns please contact the Chamber office and speak to either Lyn or Theresa at your convenience.
The Following Businesses Participate in the Chamber Checks Program:
Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce:
ACE Rent A Car
Amy’s Flowers
Aroosta Cast
Aroostook Limousines
Aroostook Savings & Loan
Aroostook Shredding
Aroostook Tech, Inc.
Ashland 1 Stop
Ashland Diner
Aural Rehabilitation Services/ARS Hearing Aids
Big Cheese Pizza
Bigrock Mountain
Bike, Board & Ski
Bradley’s Citgo & Car Wash
Bread of Life Bulk Foods & Specialty Store
Card Smart
Care & Comfort
Caribou Inn & Convention Center
Cary Medical Center Gift Shop
Chandler Farms, Inc.
City Drug Store
Collage Beauty Studio
Condon Sign, LLC
Country Cleaners
Country Collectibles
Criterium-Brown Engineers
Cushman & Sons, Inc.
Daigle Property Maintenance
Dana’ s Auto Sales
Eagle Hill Stamp & Coin
Gagnon’s Auto & RV Sales, Inc.
Gil’s Sanitation
Governor’s Restaurant & Bakery
Graves Supermarket, Inc.
Hampton Inn By Hilton
Hand Me Down Antiques
Harry’s Motor Sports & Equipment
Diana Higgins, LMT
Hillside IGA
Irish Setter Pub
JP Market & Deli
Lynox Welding Supply
Diana Mains, LMT
Mars Hill IGA
Merchants on the Corner
MOJO Outdoor Sports
Northeast Pellets, LLC
Northern Business Products
Northern Maine Community College
Northern Prosthetics & Orthotics
Pat’s Pizza
Percy’s Auto Sales
Pottery by Karen St. Peter
Presque Isle Country Club
Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center
Presque Isle Save-A-Lot
Rathbun Lumber
Shallie’s Place
Star City IGA
Steaks N’ Stuff
Sunrise Massage & Birth Services
The Aroostook Medical Center.
TAMC’s Country Heart Gift Shop
Tim Horton’s
Verizon Wireless Zone
Walmart
Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce
Beaulieu’s Auto
Big Cheese Pizza
Burger Boy
Caribou Inn & Convention Center
Caribou Save-A-Lot
Cary Medical Center Gift Shop
Family Eye Care & Mavor Optical
Gagnon’s Auto & RV Sales, Inc.
Plourde & Plourde, Inc.
Precision Lawn Services, Inc.
Quality Home Services
RLW Management, Inc.
The Maine Dance Academy
Tim Horton’s
.
BDN Maine Outdoors
1/16 page—$65.00
1/8 page—$130.00
1/4 page—$260.00
1/2 page—$520.00
BDN Maine Outdoor prints over 50,000 issues
of their magazine four times a year.
Advertising
Opportunities
All purchased advertising will receive a free Facebook posting
Email Blast to Membership—$25.00
The Chamber will send your ad out to our over
300 members
Monthly Newsletter—$25.00
Your ad will be included in our monthly newsletter
Annual Directory
1/4 page—$130.00
1/2 page—$230.00
Full Page—$425.00
The Directory includes all of our membership,
local organizations, places of worship, information on the 13 communities we serve. With
1200 printed annually, the directory is given in
relocation packets, new member packets and is
distributed throughout Aroostook County.
Bangor Metro
1/16 page—$100.00
1/8 page $200.00
1/4 Page—$400.00
1/2 Page $800.00
With a monthly circulation of 12,500 magazines,
Bangor Metro is growing in popularity here in
Aroostook County due to a special feature called
“Crown of Maine”. We are currently selling space
for the following issues.
April: Home & Garden (Crown of Maine issue)
May: Senior Issue
June/July: Summer Guide (Crown of Maine issue)
August: Best Restaurants
September: Education Issue (Crown of Maine
issue)
October: Energy Issue
November: Health Care (Crown of maine issue)
December: Holiday Issue
WAGM-TV-CACC Presents
$260.00 for 40 airings total over one month.
Choose the month that best suits your
business’s needs. The Chamber pays $60.00 of
the cost..
You get: A 15 second piece that introduces you as
a member of the Central Aroostook Chamber of
Commerce (5 seconds), then your advertising
Website Banner/Rotator Ads
information with an
Top Banner—First Month FREE then $50.00 per
exterior shot of your business (10 seconds) with a
month with a 6 month
total of 20 airings on CBS and 20 airings on FOX
commitment up front. After 6 months you can
over the month you choose.
continue on at the same monthly rate or pick
Event Sponsorship
times of the year that would benefit your compaThe Central Aroostook Chamber of
ny the most.
Commerce holds eight events each year with
Rotating Side Banner—First month FREE then
varying levels of sponsorship. Please contact the
$20.00 per month with a 6 month
Chamber for sponsorship menus.
commitment up front. After 6 months you can
continue on at the same monthly rate or pick
The Central Aroostook Chamber of
times of the year that would benefit your compaCommerce buys advertising to share with it’s
ny the most.
Members through local radio, local
publications, special inserts, and tourism items
sent through out the State of Maine
Thank you to the Board members who are
leaving the Board of Directors who have
served the Presque Isle Area now the
Central Aroostook Chamber through six
years of transition as we renamed ourselves
to more aptly indicate the area that we
serve. Nancy Fletcher, Dawn Poitras and
Stacy Shaw served above and beyond for
the six years that they attended Board
meetings and like many other past members, will be looked to for help and guidance in the future.
Karen Gonya passed the gavel to Bill
Getman, at our December Board meeting,
after a very busy and successful year.
We have presented several Customer
Service Recognition awards to area
businesses this year and look forward to
presenting many more in 2016 and beyond.
The Chamber Gift Checks program was
launched and with a few minor glitches has
proven to be well received by businesses.
The list of businesses accepting the
Chamber checks is on our website so we
can update it as more members join the
program.
The Central Aroostook Chamber increased
in membership in 2015 and through a
series of events will grow significantly in
2016 as we offer our services to businesses
previously served by the Caribou Area
Chamber of Commerce. We think this will
be beneficial for our communities as we
move forward and work together to
improve the region that we all appreciate
for its many qualities.
The Holiday Light Parade was an amazing
spectacle this year, thanks to all the
businesses, organizations and volunteers
involved in it. As with all the events hosted
by the Chamber, they are only a success
because our members, area residents and
visitors make them thus.
As 2015 comes to an end, I look forward
to a busy, successful 2016 with the support
of a great Board of Directors, members
and volunteers. If we all work together we
can maintain Central Aroostook County as
an ideal place to live, work and raise
families.