MAINE SBDC 2024 ANNUAL REPORTInspiring Confidence,
Nurturing Dreams
Year In Review
The Maine SBDC proudly reflects on a year marked by resilience, adaptation, and innovation, where challenges became opportunities for reinvention and progress.
A notable change was the conclusion of our long-standing partnership with Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI), as they shifted their strategic focus to specific populations and sectors. As a result, CEI is no longer providing business advising services on behalf of the Maine SBDC.
Maine SBDC embraced this transition as an opportunity to enhance and strengthen the program. With a focus on the needs of Maine’s entrepreneurial community, we restructured our operations, expanded and refined our statewide presence, and worked to ensure that we had the expertise and talent to continue delivering exceptional services.
Amid these changes, our commitment to serving Maine’s diverse small business communities never wavered. Our dedicated team worked tirelessly to assist business owners in launching new ventures, expanding operations, and overcoming obstacles. Through personalized advising and impactful workshops, we empowered thousands of entrepreneurs to make informed decisions, fostering meaningful growth across the state.
As we move into 2025, Maine SBDC remains deeply committed to the success of our clients, stakeholders, and partners. Together, we are building a stronger, sustainable future for Maine’s small businesses.
THE MAINE SBDC TEAM
Serving over 2,200 entrepreneurs in 2024
Mark Delisle
State Director
Jennifer Boutin
Associate State Director of Operations
Peter Harriman
Center Director & Business Advisor
Southern Maine
Alison Lane
Center Director & Business Advisor
Central & Northern Maine
Christine Cole
Business Advisor, Portland Region
Jenn Dobransky
Business Advisor, Midcoast Maine
Christina Dodge
Business Advisor, Central Maine
Jon Janson
Business Advisor, Western Maine
Anne Lancaster
Business Advisor, Southern Maine
Christina Oddleifson
Business Advisor, Portland Region
Dion Olmstead
Business Advisor, Western Maine
Dan Umphrey
Business Advisor, Northern Maine
Stephanie Case
Admin & Data Manager
Aaron Cohen
Project Coordinator
Elise Devon
Director of Finance & Grant Management
2024
Highlights
Fueling Maine’s Economy
Driving Economic Growth in Maine: In 2024, Maine SBDC business advisors empowered thousands of individuals, directly contributing to business startups, job creation, and capital investment across the state. Our clients have verified the following outcomes:
Setting the Standard
Maine SBDC successfully achieved national accreditation in 2024, a testament to its commitment to excellence. This rigorous process, based on the Baldrige Performance Excellence Criteria, ensures the highest standards of program delivery and operational efficiency.
SBDC accreditation confirms effective and efficient use of public funds, and ensures the strength of the SBDC’s program management, financial accountability and economic impact. This achievement demonstrates the Maine SBDC’s dedication to providing top-tier small business assistance and economic development support in Maine.
Congratulations on this significant milestone. Considerable planning and effort have gone into attaining the goal of full accreditation and the SBDC Network is commended for its success. We are confident that your program will continue to pursue excellence and we wish you well in this endeavor.
– Accreditation Team
Putting Clients First
Dedicated to helping Maine entrepreneurs succeed. Over 97% of clients recommend the Maine SBDC, praising the clarity and confidence they gain from working with our expert business advisors. Clients consistently share how supported, encouraged, and inspired they feel to build strong, sustainable businesses.
Repositioning for Success
New Talent, New Locations, New Structure…Same Great Program. In 2024, Maine SBDC welcomed several talented business advisors and staff to the team. Each brings a unique and impressive background that strengthens the program and its services. This, paired with a new team structure, ensures connected, effective, and efficient service delivery.
This year also brought improved service accessibility. Using market data, the program reassessed and re-positioned its physical presence and is actively setting up new locations to ensure seamless access to its exceptional services.
Empowering All Entrepreneurs
Supporting Maine’s diverse small community, including women, minority, and rural entrepreneurs in underserved markets. Our advisors provide customized support to help each person tackle their unique barriers to success.
In 2024, Maine SBDC clients consisted of…
- 53% Women Entrepreneurs
- 32% Young Entrepreneurs (35 years or younger)
- 28% Rural Entrepreneurs
- 15% Non-White & Hispanic Entrepreneurs
- 14% Entrepreneurs with Low-to-Moderate Income
- 8% Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
- 7% Veteran & Military-Connected Entrepreneurs
Learning for Growth
Committed to empowering and educating business owners to start and operate sustainable businesses. Maine SBDC offers a variety of free, accessible educational resources to entrepreneurs and business owners across the state. These valuable learning opportunities include on-demand eCourses, live webinars, and an ever-growing YouTube library.
In 2024, Maine SBDC’s educational offerings consisted of…
By The Numbers
Return On Investment
Return on investment for the Maine SBDC is evaluated, analyzed, and reviewed annually through an independent study conducted by Dr. James Chrisman at Mississippi State University. His findings are based on information provided by a survey of clients meeting with a Maine SBDC business advisor for at least five hours. Dr. Chrisman’s most recent report indicates that for every dollar invested in the Maine SBDC, $1.28 was returned in incremental tax revenue.
For every dollar invested in the Maine SBDC, $1.28 was returned in incremental tax revenue.
– Maine SBDC Economic Impact Study: 2022-2023
Financial Overview
Excludes USM cost share and in-kind contributions of $159,656
*Various project years normalized to calendar year format
5-Year Trends
Over 2,200 entrepreneurs turned to the Maine SBDC in 2024 to help navigate the process of starting, managing, or growing their businesses. With the guidance and expertise of business advisors, these entrepreneurs develop the skills necessary to meet their goals, create successful businesses, and improve the local economies in which they reside.
“SBDC and [my advisor] were invaluable resources. They helped me see and prepare for things that were not on my radar, set realistic expectations, and gave me advice when it was time to shift.”
–Amy Brown, Business Owner of MainelyNP Primary Care
“[My advisor] has been a great sounding board and provided me with a lot of business ideas and resources, as well as information about the best order to take certain steps (e.g., getting an EIN) for ease of paperwork.“
– Ailish Kess, Business Owner of Ground Well Counseling
The SBDC is a cooperative effort that leverages federal, state, and higher education resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses to start, grow, and succeed.
The U.S. Small Business Administration funds and administers the nationwide SBDC program to assist current and prospective business owners. Working with local SBA district offices, SBDC offers services tailored to local communities and individual clients to help promote entrepreneurship and small business growth.
The State of Maine provides funding through DECD support to the Maine SBDC program. Maine SBDC and DECD work together to support business development and economic growth throughout Maine by ensuring entrepreneurs and small business owners can confidently navigate the process of starting and growing their businesses.
Nearly 50 years ago, the University of Southern Maine (USM) piloted the Maine SBDC to provide essential management assistance and education to Maine’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. Since those initial days, USM has continued to provide critical support and guidance on the operation of the SBDC program across the State.
The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) provides funding to the Maine SBDC program. Maine SBDC and MTI share common goals, including the development of individual entrepreneurs within the State of Maine towards sustainable economic growth.
Critical to the Maine SBDC’s success are the partner organizations that staff our business advisors across Maine. These long term partners include:
Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (AVCOG) has one SBDC business advisor. AVCOG is a regional planning agency serving Western Maine communities including Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties.
Northern Maine Development Commission staff has two SBDC business advisors. NMDC is a regional planning and economic development organization serving Aroostook and Washington Counties.
DOWNLOAD OUR 2024 ANNUAL REPORT
