Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber (SMMC) partners with a lot of organizations and government entities to promote our region’s businesses, present useful information to businesses and to provide opportunities to have the voice of business heard.
On Oct. 28, SMMC will co-host a meeting with the Maine Regulatory Fairness Board from 8 to 10 a.m. The meeting takes place in the second-floor auditorium at Southern New Hampshire University, 10 Tibbetts Drive, Brunswick.
The Maine Regulatory Fairness Board (RFB) invites public testimony on regulatory and statutory issues that affect Maine businesses. To effectively report to the Legislature and the governor on regulatory conflicts, the board elicits public comment from Maine business owners/managers and the public concerning:
— Specific state rules and regulations that may unreasonably impede business sustainability and growth; and
— Recommendations for regulatory and statutory change that may enhance Maine’s business climate.
The board holds hearings to invite testimony that highlights and details regulations in need of scrutiny and amendment. These public comments directly set the hearing agendas and greatly inform the board’s recommendations to the governor and the Legislature. Public participation is an essential element to achieving the board’s objectives.
The board is chaired by the secretary of state and is comprised of four members who are or have been owners or operators of Maine businesses. It is staffed by Maine’s small business advocate.
The board is most interested in possible solutions or alternative ways to enforce regulations that are easier and less burdensome for businesses to carry out. If there are regulations that are outdated, or technology has changed processes making the regulations unworkable in their present form, the board is also interested in hearing about those suggestions also.
This opportunity is for all business.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
— Tonight is Chamber After Hours hosted by Burgess Computer, 6 Oak Grove Ave., Bath, from 5 to 7 p.m. Bring your business cards and have a great time while building your business network. There will be interactive presentations, cash bar, refreshments by Byrnes Irish Pubs and door prizes, including a free gift for the first 30 businesspeople to arrive. Chamber After Hours is always free to attend. Staff and employees of chambermember businesses and guests are always welcome.
— Attend the Small Business Success Seminar on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Topsham Public Library. Come to learn about the college admissions process presented by Rebecca Kosakowski, of Midcoast College Counseling. Learn how to begin your student’s college application process. This seminar is free and open to the public as well as chamber members and their employees.
— Donate blood in honor of Arthur Bourget, a local resident of Richmond, who received life saving blood transfusions. The date is Wednesday, Nov. 12, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bill Dodge Auto Group, 262 Bath Road, Brunswick. Call the Red Cross to make your appointment: 1-800 RED CROSS. All donors receive personal satisfaction in that for every pint donated, three lives can be saved.
— Are you looking for a job? Are you a veteran or service member? Are you part of the general public looking for a job? Then attend the third annual Hiring Maine’s Heroes Job Fair, Nov. 12 at the Brunswick Knights of Columbus Hall, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (open to the general public at 11 a.m.). Brig. Gen. Gerard Bolduc, Maine Air National Guard commander, will open the job fair with an ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve) Statement of Support signing. Then meet with 40 employers who have jobs ready to fill. At noon, a mini-transition assistance program workshop for recently separated veterans is offered.
Watch our scrolling calendar at www.midcoastmaine.com for more information and to register for all events. For some, the seating is limited. Don’t miss out.
Thank you to our annual sponsors: Mid Coast Health Services, Mechanics Savings Bank, Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, Burgess Computer, RE/MAX Riverside, The Brunswick Hotel & Tavern, Electricity Maine, Coastal Ortho Performance Training Center, FairPoint Communications, Southern New Hampshire University, Parkview Adventist Medical Center, Atlantic Regional FCU, TownSquare Media, The Cryer, WCME Radio 9 and The Times Record.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS:
Welcome to Community Concepts, a community action, volunteer transportation program that will be locating to Brunswick Landing in mid-November.
The chamber proudly serves 750 businesses and organizations in the following communities: Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Dresden, Edgecomb, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Westport Island, Wiscasset and Woolwich.
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