Skowhegan Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Framework
An initiative of Main Street Skowhegan, supported by the Maine Community Foundation, Maine Downtown Center, and Main Street America.
A thriving business ecosystem features a number of key elements, including talented entrepreneurs and a community that supports them, education and training, financial capital, a skilled workforce, responsive policies and regulations, a vibrant culture, and a distinct quality of place.
To determine Skowhegan’s greatest business needs (based on the key elements above), we polled business owners and community members. Main Street Skowhegan is now systematically addressing gaps to cultivate a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem that will support and grow the local business community and encourage new investment in Skowhegan.
Program History
In 2020, Skowhegan was selected as one of three Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Pilot Program communities in the state of Maine. A team of Skowhegan stakeholders—led by Main Street Skowhegan, in partnership with the National Main Street Center, the Maine Downtown Center, and the Maine Community Foundation—evaluated Skowhegan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through two Skowhegan-based surveys, several virtual focus groups, and the NMSC’s assessment tool.
Armed with data from the surveys, focus groups, and assessment results; an industry market analysis; Skowhegan-specific recommendations from the National Main Street Center—and $50,000 in grant funding from the Maine Community Foundation—the Skowhegan team drafted an implementation plan for bolstering Skowhegan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The team, led by Main Street Skowhegan, is currently working to implement the plan.
In 2021, we:
- Conducted the Skowhegan Business Needs Assessment (Summer 2021) for more detailed information about current business needs. The finalized needs assessment report will help guide the project moving forward.
- Raised additional funding to launch Skowhegan’s first Center for Entrepreneurship in downtown Skowhegan.
- Hired Main Street Skowhegan’s first Business Relations Manager, Patric Moore, to help lead implementation efforts, including managing the Center for Entrepreneurship, connecting entrepreneurs to resources, and supporting and facilitating real estate development projects.
In 2022, we:
- Launched the Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship at 181 Water Street in downtown Skowhegan.
- Hosted regular programming at the Center.
- Supported current businesses and new entrepreneurs by connecting them to resources, mentors, funding, etc.
- Hosted our first Business Lab & Pitch Competition with six participating businesses. The winning business, Quinn’s Tree Farm, received $5,000 to grow their business.
We’ll continue to run programming, support aspiring entrepreneurs and growth-minded current businesses, and collaborate with regional partners to advance Skowhegan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, as well as:
- Created business video profiles to promote our businesses and inspire new entrepreneurs.
- Encourage redevelopment of a downtown property to add second/third floor housing and upgrade commercial space. Assist with project and create case study to guide future projects.
- Identify business gaps in Skowhegan to help encourage new business startups.
Data, Recommendations, and Implementation Plan
- Skowhegan Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development – Findings & Recommendations (Winter 2020; National Main Street Center report based on findings from surveys, focus groups, and the NMSC’s assessment tool)
- Skowhegan Industry Market Analysis – Local Food & Outdoor Recreation (Spring 2021; Camoin Associates)
- Skowhegan Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development (Implementation) Plan (Spring 2021; Main Street Skowhegan)
- Skowhegan Business Needs Assessment Report & Recommendations (Summer 2021; Main Street Fellows Eliot List and Nick Adams)
- Skowhegan Housing Assessment & River Park Case Study (December 2021; Levine Planning Strategies)
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Definition and Factors
By most definitions, entrepreneurial ecosystems refer to the strategic alignment of a variety of public and private efforts—including government policies, funding and finance, human capital, and regulatory frameworks—to provide necessary financial, social, and human capital to foster entrepreneurship in innovative and creative ways. Factors include:
- Place-Based (Places for Entrepreneurs; Public Amenities; Pop Up Programs)
- Government Policy/Regulations (Permits; Codes; Zoning)
- Financial Capital (Full Spectrum –Banks to Crowdfunding to Contests)
- Social Capital (Networks/Mentors; Referrals)
- Education and Training (Schools, SBDCs)
- Culture (Risk Environment; Positive Exposure for Entrepreneurs)
- Human Capital/Workforce (Remote Worker Recruitment, Talent; Availability of Workers)
Frequently overlooked in ecosystem definitions is the value of place and the physical environment as central factors in creating and growing successful enterprises. By emphasizing the creation and support of great places and spaces for people to live and work, commercial districts can attract new businesses and new ideas, thus contributing directly to the development of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Source: National Main Street Center
Skowhegan Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Team Members
- Kristina Cannon, Exec. Director of Main Street Skowhegan
- Patric Moore, Business Relations Manager of Main Street Skowhegan
- Christine Almand, Manager of Town of Skowhegan
- RJ Anzelc, Owner of Bricks Innovation & Coworking Space
- Samantha Burdick, Marketing Director at Hight Family of Dealerships
- Patrick Dore, Co-owner of Old Mill Pub
- David Dorr, Director of Somerset Career & Technical Center
- Matt DuBois, President of MSS Board of Directors and owner of The Bankery and Skowhegan Fleuriste
- Sam Hight, Principal of Hight Family of Dealerships
- Amber Lambke, Owner of Maine Grains & The Miller’s Table
- Lisa Landry, HR Director at Redington-Fairview General Hospital
- Jeremey Lehan, Director of MSAD 54 Adult & Community Education
- Danielle Libby, Owner of Butler’s Car Wash
- Christian Savage, Exec. Director of Somerset Economic Development Corp.
For more Information
Please contact Patric Moore (patric@mainstreetskowhegan.org) at Main Street Skowhegan for details or to get involved.
