For a small business owner, it was one-stop shopping of the very best kind when the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission (LCRPC) hosted a small business forum June 21 at its Wiscasset office.

The two-hour format allowed the estimated 30 area business owners who attended to hear brief presentations from each of the organizations participating in the forum. The information ranged from securing financing to free courses, assistance with business plans and even obtaining business help from the IRS. Among those attending were the county commissioners, who delayed their usual Tuesday meeting so that they could be at the event.

Having all of the presenters in one room allowed business owners to understand how they work together, which agency to contact and when it should be contacted. Federal programs and resources were presented by Marilyn Geroux, Maine Small Business Administration district director, Shawn Savage, IRS, senior stakeholder liaison and Cory Gardner, SCORE mentor.

Financing options covered information about grants and loans and included information from Sally Garand, FAME commercial loan officer; Cole Palmer, Coastal Enterprises, Inc., loan and investment officer; Brian Dancause, Midcoast Economic Development District; David Hill, Center Director of the Maine Small Business Development Center at CEI; and Martha Bentley from the Maine Technology Institute.

Jaimie Logan, account executive, presented a wide range of services available from the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development and Erica Quin-Easter, regional manager with New Ventures Maine, conveyed her organization’s programs.

The event was emceed by Mary Ellen Barnes, LCRPC’s Economic and Community Development director.

At the end of the presentations, business owners were given time to network and to visit with representatives of the organizations. The event was structured to be helpful to both established businesses and startups. Businesses from across Lincoln County attended and represented a range of products and services.