MaineStream Finance

  I recently had the pleasure of meeting with Ken Greenleaf to talk one on one about MaineStream Finance, one of our newest CMBA Members. Ken is a very approachable business advisor, happy to connect with you to explore your business and financial needs. Ken and...

PROJECT CO+OP – Let’s do it!

When the opportunity came to found a worker cooperative in November 2020 right in the middle of a global pandemic lockdown, the answer was an emphatic “let’s do it!” It has meant that deep thinking and questioning of how and why we work has become essential to the...

Spoke Folks Bike Cooperative Pedals into 2021

Who: Spoke Folks Cooperative What: Hauls trash/Recycling/Compost and offers delivery and general hauling all on bikes Where: Norway and South Paris, ME When: Soft launched spring/summer 2020 during pandemic, officially up and running Oct2020/ Why: To lessen idling...

Co-op Energy Projects Awarded USDA Funds

Blue Hill Co-op, one of our Maine food cooperatives, applied for and were awarded $17,114 out of a potential $20,000 grant for their solar installation. The funds help offset the cost of the solar project and have enabled the co-op to also install an EV charging...

September 2020 Member Highlight: Tootie’s Tempeh

Tootie’s Tempeh: A Smart Start for Sustained Growth   Sarah and Barbara at Tootie’s Tempeh are setting their startup co-op up for a favorable start and sustainable growth. Diligent planning, resourcefulness, and collaboration permeates their efforts...

July 2020 Member Highlight: Blue Hill Co-op

Blue Hill Co-op: Strategies for Operational Resiliency   Blue Hill Co-op started as a buying club in 1974 and incorporated in 1979. Membership grew to over 1,000 by the early 90’s, and the first storefront location opened in 1993. The co-op went through...