Business in Maine

After hearing the news last night, I was quite disturbed even though I am quite familiar with the reality. Maine was ranked one of the worst states in the country to start a business. Although I am born and raised a Mainer, I have to probably agree with this and it is because of our taxes. I am not one to believe everything I hear, so I have been doing some research online to see what I can find. I did find a few reports dating back a few years that basically state the same information that I heard on the news, dated news or not the accuracy is the same. You can see here:
Yesterday's news:

http://www.wmtw.com/money/18642865/detail.html

This is the part that bugs me from yesterday's news:

Hall admitted that Maine business owners are taxed to death. He said they have been fighting for years to lower the personal income tax each business owner must pay. That tax stands at 8. 5 percent of net sales.

Old News:

http://business.mainetoday.com/smallbusiness/better/014159.html

http://www.mainepropertyblog.com/uncategorized/maine-business-rankings-released-by-forbes-magazine

http://www.cnbc.com/id/25447677

A fun [well fun to me because I am a knowledge seeker] place to poke around in for local business information:

http://buymainebiz.com/

http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/me/

Have a wonderful day everyone!!
If anyone is in the Dayton, Maine area this coming Saturday, I will be 'vending' at the 'Gardens of Atlantis'...stop by and say hi!!

Castleberry Fairs & Festivals

Not sure how I got on their emailing list, but if someone through here signed me up...I thank you!!! I found this treasure trove in my email this morning and they have some fab shows!!!!! and alot of them!! The space is a bit pricey, but being in their 20th year, I expect the booth price could well be worth every penny!!! I have sooo many shows this year, but there are definitely 2 of Castleberry's shows I am interested in!!! For those of you willing to take a small trip to New Hampshire, go check it out!!

http://www.castleberryfairs.com

Belfast Area Info

Hi everyone! I just heard back from the Belfast Chamber of Commerce yesterday. I am posting some info that may help for upcoming events.

May – Nov 2009
BELFAST FARMERS MARKET & STREET FESTIVALS
Downtown Belfast
Local grown produce, plants & flowers, jams, honey, eggs, meat, dog treats, seasonal items & crafts. All local, all the time. Look for us in our new location on Front St.,
just past the Belfast Maskers one block down from our old location. Check our website for 2009 list of performers and dates for our once a month Street Festival. May-Nov. 9 to 1pm, Free!
www.belfastfarmersmarket.org

July 11&12
ARTS IN THE PARK
Heritage Park, Belfast Waterfront
One of Midcoast Maine's most popular arts and crafts festivals, with 80 fine artists representing a vast variety of work, from jewelry to stained glass to wooden toys. The 14th annual event takes place on Belfast's waterfront, with the harbor and Penobscot Bay as a backdrop. Continuous live music both days and a variety of delicious food add to the festive atmosphere.
Sat. 10 am–5 pm, Sun. 10 to 4. Free admission.
www.friendsofbelfastparks.org • 338-5900

July 17-19
MAINE CELTIC CELEBRATION
The Commons
3rd Annual Maine Celtic Celebration is "Home to the US National Cheese Rolling Championship” Renewing the rich Celtic history, culture and hospitality found along the coast of Maine. The 3-day celebration is planned as a “donation only” event. Enjoy vendors, great food, music and live entertainment for all ages. Belfast, ME and the surrounding area was founded and built by the Celtic people of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Cornwall and Brittany. John Miller named Belfast after his hometown after he won a flip of the coin. The heritage and culture continues today.
www.mainecelticcelebration.com • 338-2692

MAINE LOBSTER FESTIVAL
Harbor Park, Rockland.
World famous “original lobster festival” now in its 62st consecutive year is one of
New England’s great summer events.
www.mainelobsterfestival.com • 596-0376 or 800-562-2529

August 27-Sept. 1, Labor Day Weekend
BLUE HILL FAIR
Route 172, Blue Hill, Maine
The Blue Hill Fair, “Down to Earth” Country Fair, showcases the best of Maine Agriculture, some of the finest entertainment, attractions, and exhibits. Draft Horse and Oxen Pulling, Sheep Dog Trials, Harness Racing.
www.bluehillfair.com • 374-3701

September 25, 26 & 27!
COMMON GROUND FAIR
Unity Fair Grounds
59,000 people take part in this annual celebration of rural living. Come to the Fair and see why Downeast Magazine calls Common Ground "Maine's most authentic country fair, uniting, as it does, old-time folkways with progressive ideas about living the good life on a fragile planet." Hundreds of vendors, exhibitors and demonstrators, more than 1,000 volunteers, and tens of thousands of fairgoers will gather to: share knowledge about sustainable living; eat delicious, organic, Maine-grown food; buy and sell beautiful Maine crafts and useful agricultural products; compete in various activities; dance; sing and have a great time.
www.Mofga.org
(this one is very very hard to get into!! Some of you may already know that!! This is a waiting list and juried)

November 14
CHRISTMAS FAIR
23 Mill Lane, Belfast, Belfast United Methodist Church
Homemade crafts and gifts, ornaments, baked goods, gift baskets, plants, jewelry, church cookbooks and much more! 9-1pm Luncheon served 11-1pm $5.
www.belfastumc.org • 338-5575

December
BELFAST - AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS
Downtown Belfast
Enjoy a month of Holiday tradition in the charming village of Belfast, Maine. Activities include: Belfast Arts Gallery Walk and Holiday Celebration, Pen Bay Singers, Candy Cane Capers with Entertainment, Father Christmas Storytelling, Pet Pictures with Santa, Roasting Chestnuts, Sleigh Rides, Holiday Parade, Tree Lighting, Live Nativity, Carols, BAHS Christmas Concert, Children’s’ Christmas Pageant, Free Holiday Matinees at the Colonial Theatre, Holiday Craft Show, Maskers Production, Extravaganza Holiday Show, Footbridge Wreath lighting. Stop into the Chamber of Commerce Informational Center on lower Main Street for dates and times.

Norway Art Festival Update

I just heard back from http://www.norwayartsfestival.org/

The date of the Festival this year is: July 11th. The fees are the same and you can download the PDF on their website . It states 2008, but nothing is changing on it they said.

I, for one, plan on being there! woohooo

Festivals in Maine List

Not sure if you are all familiar with this website, but it may also hold many valuable resources for you.

http://festivalnet.com/

This is a state by state guide, so if you click on Maine, you will get a listing of many events. I think this too needs to be updated for 2009, but it will at least provide you with ideas! It costs money to join the site, so I had to nix that idea. Relevant Google searches however will probably give you the details you need, then there is also the lost of Chambers of Commerce I have provided.

Norway Art Festival

Clicking a few various links this morning I end up going from a 'friend' in My Space to finding out about this Art Festival in Norway this summer! Well, I assume there will be one for this Summer 2009, they haven't updated their page for this year's show. Last year was their 41st annual show, so this is not a new venue.There is a contact page for those of you interested. The table/booth rates are beyond reasonable as well!

http://www.norwayartsfestival.org/

I did email the Western Maine Art Group and will edit this when/if I hear back from them.

Big Subject-Google Analytics!

I think this is just a marvy deal!! I have heard through several Yahoo groups of how to get your track off from Google Analytics and I don't know why! I think many small businesses will be all over this, and it seems those same people are worried about being tracked. I do not care whatsoever if anyone 'sees me' on their site. I think the numbers in this will show how to make a business grow and where to 'target' their website. I, for one, think this is awesome!

http://www.google.com/analytics/