Main Street Skowhegan

Business movers and shakers who consider relocating to Maine are spoiled for choices when it comes to possible sites.

Maine recaps 10 pieces of good news in 2022, ranging from the return of the TD Beach to Beacon 10K to a Portland dining spot making the cut for Esquire magazine's list of best new restaurants.

Matt Quinn of the Cornville Christmas Tree Company LLC won $5,000 in the inaugural event by Main Street Skowhegan.

The annual event has raised $103,000 in net proceeds over the last five years, according to Main Street Skowhegan.

The program, which was expanded last year to help with pandemic-related challenges, is back to its roots in 2021, offering small grants for a variety of technical uses by small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Kristina Cannon, executive director of Main Street Skowhegan, addressed StartupMaine's virtual speaker series last week about all that Skowhegan has to offer entrepreneurs looking for a location.

Drawing inspiration from the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce Brewfest in a Box earlier this summer, Main Street Skowhegan is putting together the Skowhegan Craft Brew Bag to replace the canceled Skowhegan Craft Brew Fest, which was scheduled for Sept. 4.

The grant program was set up in February to pay for technical assistance to small businesses, and expanded in May to help them survive the pandemic. Funding from the Bill and Joan Alfond Foundation recently increased the number of beneficiaries.