We speak with Mark Madrid Associate Administrator for Economic Development with Small Business Administration. The Office of Entrepreneurial Development (OED) oversees the network of SBA Resource Partners across the country, which provide one on one mentoring and advising resources to business owners and prospective entrepreneurs.

In Maine, the Resource Partners SCORE, the Small Business Development Centers, and Women’s Business Centers, have locations spread throughout the state, and provide mentoring to thousands of entrepreneurs through one-on-one sessions and workshops With the assistance of Maine’s Resource Partners, nearly 400 businesses were able to start in Maine, which support nearly 2,000 jobs

The newest addition to Maine’s Resource Partner network is the Portland office of the Women’s Business Center, which has a specific mission of working with Maine’s underserved communities.