"Man at the Wheel"/Fisherman's Memorial Statue in Gloucester
June 8, 2017

Guest blog: A “Sense of Place”

Richard Nelson has been a commercial fisherman for over 30 years. He is a member of the Maine Regional Ocean Planning Advisory Group and talks about the recent regional ocean planning meeting in Gloucester, MA.
Richard Nelson
Rockport
June 7, 2017

Uncharted Waters: Next Steps for the Northeast Ocean Plan

Two weeks ago, I attended the Northeast Regional Planning Body (RPB) meeting in Gloucester, MA. The purpose of the meeting was to hear from members about how their organizations are using the Northeast Ocean Plan and Data Portal, review the progress of implementing the plan, obtain public input, and decide on next steps.
Rebecca Clark Uchenna
Number crunching is part of sustaining a small business
June 1, 2017

Commercial Currents: Top 5 Things to Do to Get that Loan or Grant

Are you looking for funds to try out a new idea or expand your business, or would you like to improve your chances of getting that loan or grant? Whether you’re currently in need of financing or not, these top five actions will help strengthen your business as well as present it as financially ready for investment.
Stephenie MacLagan
Maine stakeholders partnered with guests from Rhode Island during the Ocean Conservancy's fly-in event
May 25, 2017

Marine team joins others to talk ocean planning on Capitol Hill

Early last week Marine Programs Director Nick Battista and I traveled to Washington, D.C., for an ocean planning "fly-in" event hosted by the Ocean Conservancy. Groups from throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic were invited to come to Capitol Hill to talk about ocean planning, including harbormasters, recreational boaters, maritime commerce, and fishermen.
Rebecca Clark Uchenna
May 23, 2017

Member Spotlight: Mott Feibusch

As a new member of the Island Institute, Mott Feibusch shares what he loves about living on an island, stories about Monhegan, and what being a member means to him.
Hannah Barrows
Cliff Island
May 10, 2017

Regional task force seeks broadband network design

The Down Bay Technology Task Force, made up of representatives from the broadband working groups of three island communities (Chebeague Island, Cliff Island, and Long Island), is seeking an engineered design for broadband infrastructure by the end of August. A request for information has been posted, and responses are due by June 16.
Stephenie MacLagan
About half the MAP scholars were able to join us in Northport
April 20, 2017

Q&A: A new approach to post-secondary achievement

The Mentoring, Access and Persistence (MAP) program for high school juniors launched in March with a lunch and learning session in Northport. 16 students will be supported as they apply to and begin post-secondary education. We sat down with Caroline Moore, Community Development Associate, to learn more..
Caroline Moore
Harbor Arts and Books Fair in Camden
April 6, 2017

Commercial Currents: Expanding your customer base

Are you doing a trade show, or have you ever thought about going to one to help build your business? Trade shows can be a great way to expose yourself to a high number of potential customers in one shot, but a lot of time and cost is involved.
Stephenie MacLagan
March 23, 2017

A "scavenger hunt" on Deer Isle

A scavenger hunt. A game generally played in an expansive outdoor area in which the participants must collect a number of miscellaneous objects. This activity is a favorite amongst children because it engages the inner explorer, encourages creative thinking, and rewards the observant. It can be conducted in many different ways, however you are always searching for something, and sometimes one clue can lead you to the next thing or in a completely different direction entirely.
Dana Mark
February 21, 2017

Commercial Currents: Saving time on taxes

Ahead of this year’s tax season, we sat down with Sam Davidson, CPA, at Davidson Associates, who has been working with lobstermen and other coastal businesses for over 30 years.
Stephenie MacLagan