Midcoast Tree Festival just four weeks away

Over half the tree spaces are filled and we’re still signing up wreath sponsors for the seventh annual Midcoast Tree Festival. We have been so busy reaching out to tree sponsors from past years and sponsors who have expressed interest that we haven’t gotten the word out to the public. You’ll hear more as it gets closer, but the festival will be Nov. 21-23 and Nov. 28-30 in Brunswick. If your business wants to be a tree sponsor, wreath sponsor or overall event sponsor, email cory@midcoastmaine.com. Many more details available on our website at midcoastmaine.com.

Snapshot of Questions 1 and 2

Though each odd-numbered year is an “off year” for elections, there is still always something to vote on. We highlighted in our weekly e-newsletter last week both what Question 1 and Question 2 are all about. Our chamber opted to not take a stance on either question this year, as typically we reserve our advocacy for topics with clear, broad business–centric referendums and questions. Question 1 is broadly about a proposed change to how we vote in Maine and involves requiring picture ID, reducing to a single absentee drop box in every municipality and changing the process for absentee ballots.

Question 2 is broadly referred to as a “red flag” law, which would give law enforcement, family members and those in close personal relationships the right to prevent certain individuals who have demonstrated dangerous behaviors from having guns. This restriction would be for up to 14 days, preventing them from access, acquirement and possession during that period.

Our e-newsletter is sent to our members midday on Fridays and a link is posted on the Bath-Brunswick-Topsham Regional Chamber Facebook page Friday afternoons. You can log on any time to see the post from last Friday, Oct. 17, to get to our writeup.  

Ribbon-cutting at Wilshire Madison, Friday, Oct. 17; Sweetser Oct. 28

In this week’s e-newsletter (posting on our Facebook page Oct. 24) is a video from our ribbon-cutting last week at Wilshire Madison. They are a longtime wholesaler of cannabis and recently opened a retail storefront in their discreet location at 8 Business Parkway in the Brunswick Industrial Park (more desirable location than perhaps a busy downtown). Their store has an upscale feel, with down-to-earth experts ready to help you find the right strain or product for your needs. Find out more about them (if you’re 21-plus) at wilshire-madison.com.

This Tuesday, Oct. 28, we are doing another ribbon-cutting at Sweetser in Brunswick to celebrate their SupportME Peer Center. Come find us at noon at 329 Bath Road in Brunswick.    

New polling location: Brunswick Rec Center

I know this has been in the media a lot, but it can’t be overstated as so many of us are used to going to the same polling location we have for years. However, if Brunswick residents go to Brunswick Junior High this year, as they have for the past 15 years, they will be redirected to the new polling location at the Brunswick Rec Center (220 Neptune Drive) on Brunswick Landing. Please share this with friends, as we all know too many people who say, “I don’t watch the news or read the paper.” 

12 @ 12: You should come Nov. 5

Last week, we hosted our October 12 @ 12 Networking Lunch at Union + Co. in Bath, and I am reminded what a great program it is. It’s simple, easy and really effective with people making lasting business connections right in front of my eyes. We facilitate 12 people getting together at noon and each gets five minutes over lunch to talk about what they do. It sounds so basic, but the connections made are impactful. Our last one of the year is Nov. 5 in Brunswick, as we take off December due to people’s calendars filling up too fast that month.  If you want to join us for lunch that day, email cory@midcoastmaine.com and I can register you.

Central Maine Power rate plan

Nobody likes to pay more for electricity, especially when it seems virtually everything else is going up, too. That’s why I commend CMP for having several listening sessions around the region last week to discuss the rate increases they are asking for in their new rate plan. From what I have gathered, it should average to be about a $35 per month increase over the next five years, with around a $14 per month jump in year one and then about $5 per month each year for the next four years after that. That’s an increase that’s not easy for even the least budget-conscious among us, but I need to commend them for spelling out the investment that will go along with that.

To upgrade the polls, wires, substations and more requires investment. We can see with road and bridge reconstruction what happens to infrastructure that is not maintained and what it costs in the long run if you let it go too long. Also, it should be noted that CMP is the largest taxpayer in nearly every Maine community, and every time they upgrade the equipment, that can get realized in an additional tax burden they pay. Now, I’m not sure if the listening sessions were required or not, but either way, it was nice to see them having conversations about it with the public.

Marketing poll coming in November — feedback needed

Our chamber will be sending a quick seven- or eight-question marketing survey out on Facebook and other social media to see what our big and small businesses are using to market their business. Look for it by early November.  

Cory King is executive director of the Bath-Brunswick-Topsham Regional Chamber of Commerce.