Category: Blog

The Island Institute’s mission and values are strongly rooted in the communities we serve. It is the priorities of these communities that power our work. This is why we believe a community-driven process is the strongest path to help communities take action on the issues that are important to them. Community development empowers community members… Read more »

In honor of the holiday season and in the spirit of giving, we’re collaborating with our friends at Luke’s Lobster on “A Few of Our Favorite Things,” a series highlighting the people, organizations, and places we cherish in Maine. For Giving Tuesday, we’re kicking off this series with three Maine organizations doing wonderful things for… Read more »

It seems like there is a general unease as we head into another Maine winter. The days are getting colder and shorter, COVID cases are starting to rise again. Like us, you are probably starting to worry a bit about the isolation of getting through the winter. Add to that the fact that many of… Read more »

Since March, Maine’s island communities have faced a variety of logistical and other unique challenges in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. But thanks to a new state effort to distribute rapid tests to communities around Maine where there are challenges to accessing immediate point-of-care, tests are now available in many island communities. As of November… Read more »

Twenty-five years ago, I made a conscious choice to avoid the issue of race. And because I am a white woman, living in a majority white community, I had the privilege of making such a choice. I had just earned my master’s degree in counseling, where I had done my ‘student counseling’ in two Boston… Read more »

It might feel early, but right now is a great time to lay the groundwork for the holidays. Here’s how to make your online marketing painless but profitable so you can enjoy all the new Hallmark movies (or whatever your holiday traditions are): Concentrate on free channels and create a series of offers now. Between… Read more »

During the summer of 2019, I took the Casco Bay Lines ferry to Cliff Island. Upon arrival, I noticed small trenches dug up on the sides of roads and properties, with thin fiber-optic cable laid out on the ground next to the trenches. This was part of an effort to bring reliable high-speed internet to… Read more »

Last Friday, Governor Janet Mills announced a $200 million program that will provide grants to Maine businesses with less than 50 employees that have been deeply impacted by the ongoing pandemic. There is a tight window for applications, so we wanted to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit more about the grant. 

Last August we shared our first Business Podcast round-up, so it felt like a good time to update the list.

First of all, a lot has changed in the world and the business landscape, and there are some great podcasts to help you make sense of the current climate. And second, we are about to re-launch our own Commercial Currents podcast, and our series “Business in Uncertain Times.”