StartUp Downeast
Increasing jobs and prosperity, strengthening economic security, and building a new generation of successful business owners in Washington County.
Empowering Individuals through college careers to employment and small business ownership.
StartUp Downeast is designed to improve economic outcomes for individuals in low-income households by providing access to post-secondary education while developing financial and self-employment readiness skills. Success will be achieved through coaching, advising, workforce and business development support, and barrier removal.
AN INDIVIDUALIZED JOURNEY
Each participant’s journey will be individualized to the career and long-term business goals that participants have. Start Up Downeast aims to empower participants throughout their college career to employment and small business ownership—increasing jobs and prosperity, strengthening economic security, and building a new generation of successful business owners in Washington County.
CONTACT STARTUP DOWNEAST
Amanda Smith, Coastal Opportunities Advisor & Start Up Downeast Student Coach
Amanda Smith joined SCEC’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Team in 2023. In her role as a Coastal Opportunities Advisor, she works with coastal Washington County towns to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs in identifying and pursuing ways to diversify their income – a significant piece of our coastal economy. Prior to her role with SCEC, she co-led the formation of a local grassroots organization to assist in fundraising and advocating for the survival of Maine’s lobster fishery.
A graduate of University of Maine at Machias’ Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Community Studies, Amanda spent time working in Mental Health and Substance Use Counseling before embracing the world of workforce development case management – roles her internship with the Department of Labor prepared her for. At the onset of the pandemic, in response to the mass layoffs, Amanda was tasked with creating and facilitating a resources workshop to assist thousands of Mainers with identifying how to adapt to the rapidly changing employment landscape; this workshop was then adapted for and used at the state level.
Amanda resides on Great Wass Island with her husband and daughter.