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GRAY — The Gray-New Gloucester Development Corporation is issuing its second Grow GNG request for proposals. The three-phase competition will ultimately select one business proposal to be funded by the program.
Last year’s winner, Empower Chiropractic and Acupuncture, on the Pineland Campus, was awarded a $10,000 forgivable loan and an additional $7,000 worth of in-kind business support products and services. The first runner up, Local Centric, ultimately opened its doors in Gray, and thanks to several of the in-kind sponsors, also received assistance.
All businesses must be for-profit in nature and must meet other eligibility requirements: The proposals are required to be for new businesses in Gray or New Gloucester, but they can be of an existing out-of-town business adding a location in one of the towns; additionally, there is a provision for a local existing business to expand with a new business concept.
One winner will be selected in the final phase of the competition and will receive up to a $10,000 forgivable loan and another $7,000 of in-kind products and services to help the business get off the ground.
“We had a great experience with the first Grow GNG, and are thrilled to be conducting the competition again,” commented Tracy Scheckel, GNGDC President, “We were inspired by and modeled Grow GNG after the Heart of Biddeford program. They have been a wonderful resource for us as we’ve developed our program.”
The cash funding for the program is comprised of advertising revenue from the GNG Local magazines the GNGDC has published since 2014. GNG Local is a promotional publication highlighting local annual events, tourist destinations and area businesses. According to Scheckel, the magazine is a hybrid, designed to attract both tourists and new businesses. Androscoggin Bank is also supporting the competition with a $5,000 grant. The selected business will be required to meet certain criteria during the first three years of operation; should those criteria be met, the loan will be forgiven.
The GNGDC has been working closely with volunteers from SCORE to fine tune the RFP and to make arrangements for mentoring of the contestants. Dick Miller, a SCORE certified mentor, has been working with the GNGDC. “It has been a pleasure to work with the GNGDC team. Their vision and determination is a very positive force for the future of Gray-New Gloucester. My fellow mentor, Stephen Jenks, and I value our association with this team effort.”
“One of the most exciting aspects of this project is the community involvement,” commented Scheckel, “The advertising revenue providing the seed money for the project came from dozens of local businesses, and the in-kind business support donations are also from many local businesses and organizations.”
For the first competition, the GNGDC solicited several area landlords to provide three months of free rent to the winner, and the Libra Foundation offered space in its business incubator at the Pineland Business Campus. OTT Communications donated one year of free telephone and internet; the Sebago Lakes Region and the L A Metro chambers of commerce provided one-year memberships. MaineBiz Magazine donated a one-year subscription, Robert Avaunt Esq. provided one hour of legal counseling, Tsukroff Photography provided promotional photography, and PrintMail of Maine provided promotional printing services. The package also included interior design and website consultations, complimentary videography and a TV promo on Gray Community Access Television, and a full page ad in the 2017 issue of GNG Local Magazine.
The panel of judges for the competition will include a municipal official from both Gray and New Gloucester, a business owner from each of the two towns, a representative of Androscoggin Bank and members of the GNGDC.
The three phases of the competition will take place through the fall and early winter, with the winner to be announced by early March. The contest rules require the new business commence operation by June 1.
The GNGDC is a private, board driven, non-profit organization whose mission is to maximize economic potential of Gray and New Gloucester. For more information about Grow GNG or to learn more about membership with the GNGDC, visit the website at gngdc.com.
