FocusMaine

?? Maine goes for gold! ?? Congratulations to Blue Ox Malthouse on their two gold medals and Best of Show recognition at the 2025 Malt Cup Awards! ?? Blue Ox has been a participant in Tastemakers, a FocusMaine program with CEI (Coastal Enterprises, Inc.), and Cultivator, in partnership with Maine Center for Entrepreneurs. These programs help Maine food businesses scale up with expert support—and Blue Ox is proof of their impact! Founder Joel Alex put it best in Mainebiz: “This recognition is validation that we can craft world-class ingredients with Maine-grown grains, which elevate our customers’ products, our farmers’ hard work, and our community at large.” Maine-grown. Maine-crafted. Maine-proud. ???? Read more about their unique business journey in Mainebiz: https://lnkd.in/g8qeVBFz #maine #food #foodeconomy #awards #madeinmaine #business #scale #growth

?? Funding opportunity for food businesses! ?? ?? Application Due: April 7 ???? Eligible Entities: Farm and food?businesses, including aquaculture and wild-caught fisheries, with $1M or less in annual sales or $350,000 or less in annual sales are eligible to apply (funding track dependent). See more details in the post below! #maine #food #foodeconomy #smallbusiness #funding #grants

Did you catch this afternoon's Maine Calling on Eels and Elver Fishing? ?? ?? An expert panel on the historical, scientific, and economic significance of the Maine eel fishing industry was joined by callers including Sara Rademaker of American Unagi, a recipient of the FocusMaine 2023 Propel grant and an alum of MarketShare, a FocusMaine partnership program with Maine Center for Entrepreneurs. Take a listen to learn how Rademaker, described by Maine Calling host as "a Pioneer for growing eels in Maine," created the land-based, recirculating aquaculture facility in Waldoboro and how it benefits the local economy by keeping processing and sales of a natural Maine resource right at home. Listen online at https://lnkd.in/gS8gx2KP Or on Maine Public Radio tonight at 8 p.m. #maine #food #aquaculture #eels #americaneels #fishing #farming #foodeconomy #radio

The new Maine Farmed Seafood Coalition, which includes Maine Aquaculture Association, CEI (Coastal Enterprises, Inc.), FocusMaine, Island Institute, and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), launched today at Bangs Island Mussels in Portland. The coalition is leading an education campaign to support the growth of Maine’s aquaculture sector by helping people understand farmed seafood’s valuable contributions to Maine, the strict regulations governing it, and, when necessary, correcting misinformation about it. “The United States imports about 80% of the seafood consumed here, and over 50% of those imports is farmed seafood. Transportation of imported seafood from countries in Europe, Asia and South America generates a significant carbon footprint,” said Andrea Cianchette Maker, President of FocusMaine.? She continued, “Growing seafood in Maine creates local jobs, supports local communities, is closer to local and domestic markets and adds value to Maine’s Gross Domestic Product.? Farmed seafood, also called aquaculture, helps to support and sustain Maine’s overall fishing industry.” For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/g5rRqu3s. #mainefarmedseafoodcoalition #maine #aquaculture #workingwaterfront #jobs #economicdevelopment #foodeconomy #advocacy

Yesterday, the FocusMaine team took a trip to Augusta for an inside look at how policy takes shape in Maine. Led by Andrea, we attended sessions in the Senate, the House of Representatives, and a joint session before finishing the day at a public hearing for the Committee on Housing and Economic Development. There, Andrea delivered testimony in support of LD 788: An Act to Promote an Innovation-driven Economy by Increasing Research and Development Spending—a critical step in fostering Maine’s innovation ecosystem. It was an exciting and insightful day, reinforcing the importance of strong partnerships between policymakers and economic development leaders! #maine #legislature #publichearing #bill #law #innovation #economicdevelopment

Maine wants your business to thrive! ?? Check out the recently released Dirigo Business Incentives Calculator from the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development to get an estimate of the value of Dirigo and other key tax incentive programs for your business. ?? Calculator: https://lnkd.in/edmRpW-3 The Dirigo Business Incentives program offers eligible businesses the opportunity to greatly reduce state taxes for up to 5 years when they make significant capital investments or provide qualified employee training in certain business sectors. Learn more & apply: https://lnkd.in/eKu9YJ57 #maine #economicdevelopment #foodeconomy #lifesciences #workforce

Maine has a history of adapting and innovating on the water. A strong, sustainable future for our coastal communities and our state includes support for aquaculture. Learn more through this insightful op-ed published by the Island Institute’s Working Waterfront publication. https://lnkd.in/gA5kfQ-d #maine #aquaculture #workingwaterfront #seafood #foodeconomy

The 50th Fishermen's Forum happened this past weekend where themes of collaboration were on full display! ?? Emily and Togue, co-chairs of the Maine Seafood Promotional Council, shared the Council’s work during the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative Annual Report and the Marketing and Building the Maine Seafood Brand Panel. ?? Emily also highlighted the benefits of the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs food accelerator programs for Maine’s seafood businesses. ?? Maine Aquaculture Association previewed a short film (sponsored by FocusMaine) about the apprenticeship program during Growing Careers: A Look into Maine’s Aquaculture Apprenticeship Programs. We then heard from a panel of those with personal experience in the program that also have a lot of overlap with the Pioneers program. Both programs stem out of the occupational standards developed through the support of FocusMaine published in 2021. Exciting momentum for Maine’s seafood industry! #maine #foodeconomy #seafood #maineseafood #aquaculture #collaboration

Make your company internship experience one to remember this summer — enroll your summer interns in Maine Career Catalyst! Interns enrolled in this program, put on in partnership with Educate Maine, get the chance to attend events hosted virtually and in-person designed to incorporate networking, exposure to Maine companies, and social connections, enhancing interns’ career readiness and allowing them to envision a career in Maine. Participants in past years have said: “Maine Career Catalyst made my summer in Maine an unforgettable experience. They have enticed me to move to Maine permanently because of them exposing us to the diverse career opportunities and beautiful landscapes available in Maine.” “It opened my mind about how many opportunities are here and that you don’t have to go to Boston/NYC for good opportunities.” Contact [email protected] to become a Maine Career Catalyst partner employer and offer your interns a unique summer internship experience. #maine #jobs #internships #experientiallearning #networking #careerreadiness #workforcedevelopment

Summer in Maine is on its way... you can almost taste it! Jess Eng captures the essence of Maine’s incredible seafood scene, making the case that now is the best time to savor the flavors of our coast. ?? ?? "[Maine's] offshore banks—submerged land masses—create ideal conditions for marine life. Much of the catch is close to the shoreline, too, which means fishermen can likely bring it to chefs the very same day...Most critical to the quality of the seafood are the waters themselves. Cold, murky, and rich with plankton and small fish, the Gulf of Maine attracts hungry fish that fatten up during summer and early fall. The chilly temperatures also inhibit salt from quickly entering shellfish, which allows for sweeter, more flavorful meat." "As a chef [at My Loup in Philadelphia, PA] who cares deeply about seasonality, [Alex] Kemp says Maine seafood has never failed to deliver on quality and taste." Check it out! https://lnkd.in/gi4dKvJi #maine #seafood #food #foodeconomy