New Ventures Maine Awards Downtown Dollars

New Ventures Maine, announced the winners of its Downtown Dollars marketing mini-grant competition for small businesses in Aroostook County. Two awardees were selected from a strong group of applicants throughout Aroostook County.

Wicked Water Graphics on Main Street in Madawaska received an award of $300. The business is a Factory Certified and Factory Trained Company in Hydrographic Printing. This process is also known as Camo Dipping, Liquid Transfer Printing, and Liquid Printing. Currently serving the OEM market, the Downtown Dollars grant will enable them to add marketing materials specifically targeting end-users and broaden their consumer reach by way of a new brochure. They will also use the grant to acquire a sign which will provide better visual identification of their physical location.

MaineSimple on Presque Isle Street in Fort Fairfield received an award of $100. This 2016 start-up business creates, crafts and sells quality Maine made products including unique soaps, insect repellant, candles, jewelry, and other fun stuff. The marketing mini-grant will help them explore the markets on Facebook and Etsy, through the purchase of ‘boosts’ and ‘clicks’. This short term enhancement to existing marketing will help determine the feasibility of investing in increased marketing campaigns in those venues.

New Ventures Maine’s Downtown Dollars marketing mini-grant competition was especially targeted at communities affiliated with the Maine Downtown Center. Criteria for the contest included being in business five years or less, having five or fewer employees, having gross annual sales of $250,000 or less, and presenting a compelling marketing project to support business growth.

A statewide organization serving all sixteen Maine counties from nine centers and outreach sites, New Ventures Maine offers skills development and support in the areas of career planning, entrepreneurship and financial management.

For more information on marketing mini-grants as well as other programs, classes, and resources for small businesses, visit newventuresmaine.org or call 1-800-442-2092 to find the center closest to you.