Bar Harbor Chamber of commerce celebrates ‘Small Businesses’ in Maine

BAR HARBOR, Maine (WABI) – When you’re shopping at a small business most likely you’re thinking about the clothes or the food that you’re going to eat.

Keep in mind that all the talent behind that is your neighbors and best friends and for the National Small business week the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce highlighted all of the good work during a special event.

Representatives from organizations and different levels of the government joined the chamber.

“The majority of Maine’s employees are employed by small businesses so it’s such a vital part of our economy here in Maine,” said Stacey Guerin, State Senate District #4. “Our family depends on a small business.”

Guerin, like many others at the event, not only supports small businesses, but they also own one.

She’s the owner of R.M. Flagg restaurant supply based out of Veazie.

She said when you spend a dollar at a small business, 67 percent of that dollar stays in the local community and circles back around which is much needed especially after the impact of recent storms.

“A lot of small businesses were affected,” said Guerin. “I know here in Bar Harbor the ocean walk was washed out and they’re raising money to restore that so it’s important. The first cruise ship of the year came into Bar Harbor.”

The tourism industry serves as a backbone to Maine’s economy which makes our state even more unique because there’s something special about each business and ultimately it supports bridges, schools, roads and much more.

Tony Cameron is the Chief Executive Officer for the Maine Tourism Association.

Bar Harbor is a second home to him, and he said what keeps this sector booming isn’t just the sales, it’s the memories that people never forget.

“This industry makes the memories that matter at the end of the day so we’re in the business of trying to make people live a little bit better, live a little happier and at the end of the year these are the memories that all these small businesses help create that people are going to remember and that’s really the most  important thing and that’s what Maine tourism is all about,” said Cameron.

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