Maine Small Business Development Centers

The Maine Small Business Development Center said Friday that Director Mark Delisle plans to retire early next year.

The centers provide no-cost, confidential business advice to clients.

By keeping the first few meetups intimate and authentic, you create an environment where people feel comfortable showing up and contributing, our guest columnist writes.

In 2024, advisors logged nearly 8,800 hours helping clients start 132 new businesses and access $34 million in funding.

Maine's startup ecosytem is thriving, with dozens of young companies. Common themes? It’s about a personal interest or mission, often supported by programs like Top Gun and Dirigo Labs.

Hailee Carter pumped money from a home sale and earnings into outfitting a cargo trailer as a bakery. Today she sees scores of customers at two locations, and also handles events, wholesale customers and special orders.

Small Business Development Centers in Maine recorded one of their highest numbers of business starts during 2023. “I think the pandemic caused a lot of people to rethink things," says Maine SBDC Director Mark Delisle.

Once the website was up with class offerings, the owner of Handful Studios immediately started to field emails from people who wanted to sign up.

Last year, the Maine Small Business Development Centers helped 2,289 entrepreneurs and small businesses — up almost 50% from pre-pandemic years.

Legislation co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jared Golden would add funding and help build awareness of the centers, which are run by the Small Business Administration and include 22 in Maine.