Senator Collins Speaks at SCORE Maine Small Business Event

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BANGOR, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins delivered remarks at a gathering of small business owners and community partners hosted by SCORE Maine and Visa. Dozens of entrepreneurs attended the event, which included programming organized by SCORE to help the attendees strengthen their businesses and increase customer loyalty. Senator Collins is a strong supporter of the SCORE program, which is funded through the Small Business Administration.

SCORE Maine provides mentoring and business advising services to entrepreneurs and small businesses statewide. Last year, 107 SCORE volunteers assisted more than 4,000 small businesses in Maine, and SCORE of Northern Maine was recently named the 2026 National Chapter of the Year.

“Maine’s small business owners are the backbone of our economy and demonstrate the entrepreneurial spirit that defines our state,” said Senator Collins. “The business owners here today help build our local economies and create good jobs. You also set an example for others to follow, ensuring that the American tradition of ingenuity and enterprise will remain forever strong here in Maine. I thank you for the work you do every day to strengthen our communities.”

“SCORE is dedicated to supporting and championing small businesses, and we’re honored to bring entrepreneurs, community partners, and leaders together for a meaningful conversation about what they need to succeed. We’re grateful to Senator Collins for joining us to listen and engage, and to Visa for helping make this opportunity possible. When small business owners can share their experiences directly, it strengthens understanding, connection, and the communities we all serve,” said Julie Christiansen, Interim Executive Director, SCORE

“Small businesses are the backbone of Maine’s communities, and when they’re equipped with the right tools and support, they can continue to grow, innovate, and thrive,” said Celeste Schwitters, Head of Community Accounts at Visa. “We share the Senator's commitment to supporting Maine’s entrepreneurs. By bringing together our Visa & Main platform with SCORE’s trusted mentoring network, we’re helping small businesses build stronger customer relationships and compete in today’s marketplace.”

Senator Collins has long supported Maine’s small business community. In 2017, she helped create the pass-through deduction, which allows many small and family-owned businesses to deduct up to 20 percent of their qualified business income, helping level the playing field with larger corporations. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, she authored the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program, which protected more than 250,000 jobs and supported thousands of small businesses in Maine.

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