HOULTON, Maine — Houlton is one of 10 Maine towns taking part in a national plan to nurture small businesses.
The only Aroostook County town involved, Houlton joins Ellsworth, Augusta, Bath, Belfast, Biddeford, Saco, Gardiner, Rockland and Westbrook in the national Main Street America 2022-23 Entrepreneur Ecosystem Project.
As post-pandemic remote working increases and home-based businesses blossom in rural areas, towns need supportive environments for entrepreneurs. More business owners mean a more bustling downtown, and that’s what Houlton Director of Community Development Nancy Ketch wants to see.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to evaluate the services available to assist our local entrepreneurs, and to not only determine where the gaps are, but do something to fill those gaps,” Ketch said.
Leaders can’t decide in a vacuum what will help…