Norway Savings Bank sponsored the event where more than 25 businesses were represented.
By Gail Geraghty
Staff Writer

PARIS – Representatives of more than 25 small businesses in Oxford County had a chance to meet with local, state and federal small business expects at a Thursday forum.

The culinary arts dining room at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School was packed for the event, sponsored by Norway Savings Bank.

The intent was to link small business owners with helpful resources available to them, said Barb Olson, business development specialist for Enterprise Maine.

A business development network was formed a year ago among such groups as SCORE, Oxford Hills Adult Education, the Norway Career Center, Community Concepts, the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce and Central Maine Community College. Representatives from most of these organizations were on hand for the forum, led by state and federal officials of the Small Business Administration and staff from U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe’s office.

Mary McAleney, district director of the Maine SBA, told the gathering that working with the SBA can help with bank financing, through agency guarantees. The SBA also has another program, called Bricks and Mortar, which offers long-term fixed rate financing.

McAleney also encouraged the small business owners to consider whether they may be in a position to apply for government contracts. The SBA can help businesses with that, she said.

“There are a lot of things out there to help you do your job,” she said. She encouraged people to visit the SBA’s Web site, www.sba.gov, for more information.

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