When a small business in Washington County wants to pursue a federal contract, the first hurdle is usually not the work itself. It’s the paperwork.
Government contracting comes with its own language, forms, registrations, certifications, and systems to navigate, and most business owners do not have the time to learn it all while also running their business.
For businesses in Washington County, Jessica Crowley, Maine APEX Accelerator at Sunrise County Economic Council helps make that process easier. In 2025 alone, Washington County businesses working with Crowley were awarded $18,971,766 in government contracts.
Maine APEX Accelerators across the state help businesses pursue federal, state, and local contracting opportunities. Maine APEX is a program of Eastern Maine Development Corporation and is one of the no-cost business services available at Sunrise County Economic Council.
One recent example is Independence Electric, a Downeast electrical contracting business that handles work for government and municipal infrastructure projects, including medium voltage outages at federal facilities and electrical upgrades at wastewater treatment plants.
Crowley worked with electrical engineer Jonathan Gay, owner of Independence Electric, to complete business registration in SAM.gov, the federal System for Award Management. A SAM.gov registration is required for any business seeking federal contracts, and while the registration itself is free, the process can be complex and time-consuming.
Crowley then helped the business pursue two federal certifications: the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business designation, which provides access to contracting opportunities that are set aside for qualifying veteran-owned businesses, and the HUBZone certification through the U.S. Small Business Administration, a program designed to encourage economic growth in rural and underserved communities.
Many Washington County businesses may qualify for the HUBZone certification because of the region’s demographics and geography. Certifications can create access to contracting opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach for small rural businesses.
Crowley shared, “Government contracting can feel daunting at first, with a lot of requirements to navigate. I really enjoy working alongside clients to guide them through the process from start to finish. It’s rewarding to see experienced, capable business owners like Jon win contracts that help them grow and succeed in their work.”
Maine APEX services include SAM.gov registration assistance, contract opportunity searches, matchmaking and networking events, proposal support, and guidance through certification programs. Services are provided at no cost to Washington County businesses.
To learn more about Maine APEX or to get started with government contracting, contact Jessica Crowley at jcrowley@sunrisecounty.org or visit https://sunrisecounty.org/apex/