1 of 6 1/28/2014 9:55 AM In This Issue EMDC finances auto shop Bat maker featured on WABI New faces in EMDC Accounting Business Spotlight: NDC Communications Upcoming Events Visit Our Website EMDC.org and connect with us via social media Sign up for other EMDC Newsletters Here Financing from EMDC Revs Up West Gardiner Business With financing help from EMDC, a 10-year-old auto shop in West Gardiner is under new ownership! Chris Minor, the new owner of Advantage Automotive, worked closely with the company's prior owner before completing the purchase. It was important to him that he know all aspects of day to day operations and to make as seamless a transition as possible. EMDC helped Minor secure a loan allowing him to purchase the business, its real estate, equipment and inventory. Advantage Automotive sells parts and provides service for all makes and models, but specializes in repairs of Dodge, Ford and Chevrolet diesel trucks. With Minor at the helm, one significant change for the business will be increased advertising, including adding social media and growing the company's online parts store. Advantage Automotive is located at 168 Benson Road in West Gardiner. Call 512.0269 or visit online at www.advantageautodieselperformance.com Dove Tail Bats featured on WABI-TV5 Shirley-based Dove Tail Bats, an EMDC client that makes high quality wooden bats, was recently featured on WABI-TV5. Owner Paul Lancisi and his team use wood from Maine, and some from New York, to craft custom baseball bats. Already the exclusive supplier for the Senior League World Series, which is held in Bangor each summer, Dove Tail also has exclusive agreements with minor league players like Ryan Dent of the Portland Sea Dogs. This year, some of their bats are going to the Major Leagues.
2 of 6 1/28/2014 9:55 AM You can see the feature on Dove Tail Bats by visiting the WABI website. Two New Faces in EMDC Accounting EMDC recently welcomed two new individuals to its Accounting Department. Robin Fisher and Lesley Rossi join the team in the roles of "General Accountant". Fisher has an extensive work history in accounting working for the Town of Hermon, Fairpoint Communications and as the owner of a tax preparation business. She is also a former customer of EMDC's workforce services program. Rossi came to EMDC with past accounting work at H.O. Bouchard. "We're happy to have Robin and Lesley as part of the EMDC team," Michael Aube, EMDC's President said. "Their experience and skills will be a great addition to the organization." EMDC's General Accountants work on varied functions within the accounting department for EMDC and its programs, including Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable. Business Spotlight NDC Communications EMDC works with hundreds of businesses in Eastern Maine and across our state. Our business, lending and workforce clients come from a wide range of industries and represent businesses of all sizes. In the Business Spotlight, EMDC Essentials shares their stories of success. NDC Communications, LLC is one of New England's most trusted tower communications construction companies. The company began as a forestry company, clearing sites for cell towers, but the company eventually changed its model to focus on the construction of cell towers. Established in 2003, by the Curtin family, the company was first located in Etna with a warehouse and office facility. Today, the company headquarters is in Brewer. NDC Communications provides a focus in six divisions ranging from construction, to steel fabrication and electrical services. NDC Communications has a 75% Maine client base with 25% of clients located throughout the Northeast and as far south as Washington D.C.
3 of 6 1/28/2014 9:55 AM Although the business felt the economic downfall, this inspired the company to come up with innovative solutions for cell towers. According to Steve Hall, Chief Development Officer, the company is the only cell tower company working to find new solutions for cell towers in New England. The company also credits itself for being a one-stop shop for tower construction services. To find out more about NDC Communications click here. The Earned Income Tax Credit: Who qualifies? Friday, January 31, is Annual Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day. The goal of this day is to increase awareness among taxpayers who qualify for the potentially life-changing tax credit, but do not claim it on their tax return. EMDC is helping the IRS reach out to those who may benefit. This year's event is particularly important in today's economy; more workers may qualify due to reduced incomes. EITC can make their lives a little easier. The credit can increase their federal income tax refunds from $1 to more than $6,044 - depending on their individual circumstances. But to get their EITC, they must know about the credit, then file and specifically claim it. The IRS is hoping to reach every working individual who may qualify for EITC including: Newly eligible taxpayers due to changes in their income, marital, or parental status during 2013 Farm workers and others living in rural areas Self-employed individuals Workers with disabilities Workers in non-traditional situations, such as grandparents raising grandchildren Childless workers, especially those whose earnings may be too low to require filing Workers with limited English proficiency Please share this information with customers and friends who may benefit. You can learn more about the EITC here. Upcoming Events Opportunities to Network in Eastern Maine Networking Action Committee Forum - Trade & Transportation Up to 6 million new jobs are expected in the U.S. from new exports and
4 of 6 1/28/2014 9:55 AM the "reshoring" of jobs back to America. Join business and community leaders to discuss our challenges and opportunities to compete for these jobs in this American revival, and discuss the future role of the Port of Searsport and Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway (MMA) which together serve as a port-rail corridor that stretches from Midcoast area through the Bangor Region up to Aroostook and Piscataquis Counties and beyond. Join us to make a difference! Wednesday, January 29; 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (Doors open at 7:30) Hollywood Casino, Lancaster Room Featured Speakers: David Bernhardt, Commissioner, MaineDOT Jim Theriault, VP, Materials Handling, Sprague Energy Captain David, Gelinas, Penobscot Bay Pilots Association Please RSVP for this free event by calling 947-0307 or by email at admin@bangorregion.com. Coffee and refreshments will be served. Enrichment MaineStream Finance - Business 101 Thinking of starting a business? MaineStream Finance is offering five sessions of Business 101 in January, including live sessions in Bangor, Dover-Foxcroft, and Lincoln. This one-hour workshop provides an overview of the pros and cons of operating a small business and provides helpful tools and resources to people considering starting or expanding their businesses! Classes are free but we ask that you please register at least one day in advance on the registration page. Classes will be led by Microenterprise Consultant James Macomber. Location & Dates: Live in Dover-Foxcroft: Monday, Jan. 27th at 6 p.m., Penquis, 50 North Street, Dover-Foxcroft Live in Lincoln: Thursday, Jan. 30th at 6 p.m., Penquis, 40A Main Street, Lincoln MaineStream Finance is a non-profit community development financial institution and a subsidiary of Penquis CAP. We provide credit, capital, and technical assistance to help Maine residents achieve their small business and home ownership goals. Please contact Denise St. Peter at 974-2409 or dstpeter@penquis.org if you have any questions about the workshops or if you would like to register by phone. EITC Awareness Day Please mark your calendar and plan now to join IRS and other interested parties on Friday, January 31, 2014, for the Annual Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day. With help from you and many more IRS partners, the goal is to blanket mainstream and social media with EITC messages to alert eligible workers about the credit. With more partners participating in the Outreach Campaign, it will result
5 of 6 1/28/2014 9:55 AM in a level of saturation that carries our message to undeserved taxpayers, who may qualify for EITC, but are unaware of the credit and how they can claim it. This year's event is particularly important in today's economy; more workers may qualify due to reduced incomes. EITC can make their lives a little easier. The credit can increase their federal income tax refunds from $1 to more than $6,044 - depending on their individual circumstances. But to get their EITC, they must know about the credit, then file and specifically claim it. We want to reach every working individual who may qualify for EITC including: Newly eligible taxpayers due to changes in their income, marital, or parental status during 2013 Farm workers and others living in rural areas Self-employed individuals Workers with disabilities Workers in non-traditional situations, such as grandparents raising grandchildren Childless workers, especially those whose earnings may be too low to require filing Workers with limited English proficiency Workforce Development Workshops Interviewing Techniques This workshop will discuss the DOs and DON'Ts of interviewing; various interviewing formats and useful techniques. Interviewing packets and sample questions will be provided. Thursday January 30; 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Sign up today by emailing Amanda Grant: agrant@emdc.org Customer Service Training Quality Customer Service is in high demand and short supply. This workshop will be facilitated by a Customer Resources Manager from a local business. Thursday February 13; 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Sign up today by emailing Amanda Grant: agrant@emdc.org Space is limited for workshops. Early registration is recommended. All workshops are free for Workforce customers. Basics of Starting a Business This 9-hour class covers the basics of a business plan, marketing, cash planning and is suitable for those thinking about or in the early start-up phase of a new business. It will help you assess the feasibility, desirability, and viability of your business idea and get you started with your plan. Note: The Basics curriculum was developed in partnership with the Women's Business Center at CEI.
6 of 6 1/28/2014 9:55 AM Wednesdays, February 5 to February 19; 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. UMA-Bangor, Bangor Hall 1 University Drive, Bangor ME, 04401 Registration/More Info To register, call Jane Searles, 262-7843, or email mary.jane.searles@maine.edu Forward this email This email was sent to mgerety@emdc.org by info@emdc.org Update Profile/Email Address Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe Privacy Policy. Eastern Maine Development Corporation 40 Harlow Street Bangor ME 04401