POLAND — The way Patrick Casalinova sees it, he’s killing two birds with one stone with his Western Maine Pitch for Profit business competition.

At the end of the contest, a new or existing business will win free and discounted rental space at the Poland Crossing Plaza on Route 26, and the owner of the building will have one of the two vacant spaces rented. The local Keller Williams commercial real estate agent said he was approached by the owner of the buildings – JTK Holdings, a retirement investment company in California – to get the units filled after tenants left because freezing pipes and other issues with the buildings.

“They’ve stepped up and reinvested into the property,” Casalinova said, noting there’s a new septic system and leach field, new drains and insulated pipes and updated HVAC system. “They needed to get some action on the property. … They gave me a chance to work on this property to get it leased up. I looked at trying to do something different.”

With the updated buildings, Casalinova felt comfortable approaching other local businesses and organizations in the greater Oxford Hills community to sign on to the competition. And sign on they did.

The winner of the contest will receive two months of free rent in Poland Crossing Plaza from KW Commercial, in either the 2,100-square-foot or 2,780-square-foot space. This is worth roughly $3,680 and discounted rent will be given to the winner after the first two months. Community Concepts Finance Corp has offered a low-interest $10,000 working capital loan.

“We recognize it as an important area that needs retail businesses and they’re having a difficult time getting them there,” said Glen Holmes, director of economic development for Community Concepts. “We came to the plate and waived the application fee and offered a low-interest loan to help someone get in, get up, and get going. … It is exciting and I would love to see some stuff in there.”

The winner will also receive advertising and business sign packages and support from community groups. Casalinova said he’s working with the Oxford Hills and Androscoggin chambers of commerce. Poland Community and Economic Development Committee will host a final pitch event where the winner will be revealed.

“It is in essence just another program that Maine, in this specific case western Maine, is trying to promote (it’s) open for business and communicate the potential of what a great place it is to live and work here,” he added. “This area has enormous potential.”

Casalinova noted even though Poland Crossing is in the town of Poland just over the Androscoggin County line, it is still a prime location for current and potential Oxford Hills businesses. He cited the Maine Department of Transportation’s annual daily traffic count average of 9,690 vehicles, the close proximity to Poland Comprehensive High School and sharing the plaza with Dunkin Donuts, Subway, Family Dollar and Northeast Bank.

Submissions are due by Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016. Contestants must submit an application — which will be uploaded to Community Concept’s website — along with a formal business plan, 12-month cash flow projection and a completed rental application through Keller Williams. Finalists will be showcased at the Western Maine Pitch for Profit Competition Finale. The winner will be announced during the event, which doesn’t have a date yet.

For more information or interested applicants, contact Casalinova at [email protected] or 890-0713.

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