Crowdfunding Raises Money, Puts Local Business on the Road Memorial Day Recap

Arts Alliance Crowdfunding Raises Money, Puts Making Plans for Odd Fellows Local Business on the Road BY NOAH MINER Building Staff Writer The Gorham Grind, a local coffee BY SHERI FABER shop owned by Carson Lynch, has taken Staff Writer advantage of the latest method of gener- ating capital: crowdfunding. The term is The Gorham Arts Alliance (GAA) used to describe raising money to sup- is hoping to move forward with port a cause, individual or small business their plans for the former Odd by using the Internet to solicit money. Fellows building on School Street, Two models exist, one where the which was recently purchased by money is donated, and another where Jon and Cindy Smith of Great Falls investors are rewarded with services or Construction who are leasing it to goods equal to or exceeding the initial the Alliance. investment. The Gorham Grind intends Following a meeting with the to reward its investors. State Fire Marshall’s office, the GAA The Gorham Grind has been trying for was told the building could not be the last few years to get a mobile coffee occupied until a fire alarm system bar nicknamed “Flo” up and running full was installed. Also required within time. Flo, an 18-foot long step van, similar the first year of occupation was to a UPS van, needs electrical, plumb- Photo credit Carson Lynch a sprinkler system and, until the ing, and equipment upgrades in order to sprinklers were installed and opera- become totally self-contained. The goal is The Gorham Grind’s food truck, nicknamed Flo, will be getting some much needed tional, the second floor could not to provide a self-supported mobile coffee improvements after a successful crowdfunding campaign. be used other than for storage (with bar that will serve weddings, music festi- only employee access). They also vals, and other events that lack a decent charges a fee but is only collected if the With funding now available, Lynch required egress doors changed so cup of coffee. target goal is reached. says Flo should be up and running they swing out, rather than in. Lynch used a crowd source provider In the case of the Gorham Grind, by July and available for booking in This week the GAA met with the called Smallknot to raise the needed the goal was to raise $9,000 in 45 August. Flo already has two music fes- Planning Board who granted them capital for the project. Smallknot’s system days. People who pledged $20 to sup- tivals booked for September. occupancy with limited access and one works like this: A small business spreads port Flo received a $25 gift card to the After nine years of offering greater year to install the sprinkler system. the word via social media that they need Gorham Grind. The return on investment Gorham the traditional coffeehouse The GAA plans to hold enrich- to raise a certain amount of money within increased with an increased investment; a environment, Lynch is excited for his ment classes in the fall. The GAA a predetermined time frame. Investors $200 donation got the donor a $225 gift second location to be a part of Maine’s has a number of programs planned pledge a certain dollar amount on small- card plus t-shirts, mugs, and coffee. burgeoning food truck movement. for this summer that will take place knot.com and are only billed if the goal is Lynch is excited the campaign was so Lynch feels a community willing to at other locations, such as the reached. When the goal is reached within successful. The $9,000 was raised within invest in his idea validated his vision Gorham Middle School. the timeframe, the business gets the the 45-day time frame with over half of and commented, “When was the last needed funding, and the investors get a the pledges coming in just eight hours time you had a good cup of coffee at Gorham Votes gift card or credit for products. Smallknot before the deadline. a wedding?” Tuesday, June 10th Don’t Forget to Vote! Memorial Day Recap BY MEGAN DUNLAP ear to ear. United States flags flew in that BY KAREN DIDONATO GHS Student Intern morning’s clear sky. Editor The Boy Scouts were first, followed On Memorial Day morning, Main by the Girl Scouts. Many more feet Gorham will vote on June 10 on the Street was lined with people from the and wheels followed the same path. school budget and the state primary elec- residents of Gorham House to newborns The local dance team danced down tion. The School Budget Validation refer- in car seats. Everyone was there for the the street; the tee ball, farm league endum question as it will appear on the same reasons: to observe Memorial Day, and softball teams walked right along. Photo credit Robin Mercier ballot will read: “Do you favor approving to give thanks, and to watch the parade Old cars and tractors engines ran that Sophie Sawyer of Steep Falls proudly holds the Town of Gorham School Budget for put on by the community. day. Candy was thrown to the crowd the American flag on the sidelines of the the upcoming school year that was adopt- The sun was shining for the parade and pamphlets given out by the local Memorial Day Parade. ed at the latest Town of Gorham Town goers. There were veterans in the crowd businesses. School bands played along Council Meeting held June 3rd, 2014?” and marching down the street. Police marching step by step. Last in the The morning’s parade came to a close. The Primary Election will include vot- cars led the way with their lights flash- parade were men and women in fire Chairs were folded up and packed in cars ing for United States Senator: Shenna ing. The eyes of the children on the side- trucks and safety units with their lights and everyone went their separate ways to Bellows (D), Susan Collins, (R); Governor: walks lit up and smiles were spread from flashing and horns blowing. continue giving thanks to our veterans. Paul LePage (R), Michael Michaud (D); Representative to Congress: Isaac Misiuk (R), Chellie Pingree (D); State Gorham Business Raising inside Senator: James Boyle (D), Amy Volk (R); theTimes Representative to the Legislature (District Funds for Alzheimer’s 14 Blotter 15 Classified 4 Living 6 School ARTICLE ON PAGE 5 CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 15 Calendar 13 Community 4 Municipal 8 Sports NEWS FROM AUGUSTA The Gorham Times asked our three state legislators from Senate District Six, House District 129 and House District 130 to provide us with Times “News from Augusta.” We publish their articles on a rotating basis. The submissions are devoted to updates of legislative and administrative BRINGING THE NEWS TO ALL OF GORHAM news, proposed and passed bills and laws, and developments and events that are of interest to and have an impact on Gorham residents. The PO Box 401, 77 South Street Gorham Times reserves the right to edit the submissions and it further reserves the right to reject any submission, in its sole discretion. Gorham, Maine 04038 Phone and Fax: (207) 839-8390 [email protected] Legislative Accomplishments: Pre-K, www.gorhamtimes.com The Gorham Times is a free volunteer-run community newspaper distributed every other Solar Power, and Revenue Sharing Thursday to more than 100 pick-up sites throughout Gorham. —— BY SEN. JIM BOYLE and towns known as revenue sharing. Maine. Maine is the only state in New Keeping this funding promise ensures England that doesn’t have a solar incen- News [email protected] When I first ran for the Legislature, I that our communities will not be forced tive program, and as one of the most Sports [email protected] heard from people in my district that they to cut essential services, raise property oil-dependent states in the country we Features [email protected] wanted legislators in Augusta to work taxes, or both. would do well to take advantage of the Of Interest [email protected] together for the good of the people of Governor LePage sought to eliminate sun’s energy. According to a 2010 report Calendar item [email protected] Maine. Recently, when the Legislature fin- revenue sharing, which he calls “welfare,” by the Institute for Local Self Reliance, Advertising gorhamtimesadvertising@ gmail.com or 839-8390 ished up its work for the year, I felt confi- in last year’s state budget. Legislators rooftop solar panels could provide 24 dent that we had done just that. fought back and were able to restore two- percent of Maine’s electricity. School News [email protected] —— Despite the obstructionism of thirds of the funding in the budget. The bill we passed directs the Governor LePage, my colleagues and This year, we finished our work by Public Utilities Commission to take SUBSCRIPTIONS I in the Legislature were able to move providing $40 million in revenue shar- specific measures regarding solar ener- $15/year in Gorham; $20/year elsewhere forward with a bipartisan budget, restore ing and preventing more devastating gy, including monitoring and studying $10/year for college subscription —— funding for our towns, invest in qual- cuts to our communities. Our cities and the development and value of solar ity early childhood education, and take towns rely on this funding for everything energy generation for businesses and General Manager Maynard Charron action to increase the use of solar energy from the police and fire departments to homeowners. Editor Karen DiDonato in Maine. schools and road maintenance. Paying our bills, keeping our fund- Business Manager Stacy Sallinen The budgets we passed in the We also passed important bills to ing promise to our communities, and Advertiser Coordinator DaraLyn McColl Legislature represent a solid bipartisan strengthen education, including an increasing access to pre-K and solar Design/Production Shirley Douglas effort to pay our bills.

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