AUGUSTA – The Joint Standing Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development will hold a public hearing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 17 in Room 208 of the State Office Building to discuss concerns from the business community regarding the current economic environment and its impact on the availability of capital for businesses in Maine.

The committee has requested a status report from the financial services community on the availability of capital for businesses in Maine and will ask for public comment from Maine’s business community, as well as from public and private providers of capital.

The committee is interested in hearing how Maine can improve the efficiency and coordination of Maine’s continuum of capital.

For more information about the BRED Committee, go to http://janus.state.me.us/house/jt_com/bec.htm.