Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry

02/12/2025

We’ve experienced a lot of growth in our area over the last few years ... the one constant in life and in our cities is change. Here is a sample of some of the work-in-process development projects in Biddeford & S**o that will bring new jobs, more housing supply, additional entertainment and fun options, and ideally other benefits. It will be fun to track the progress of these and other investments in our community over the coming year!

02/12/2025

Business After Hours!!
Join us at Pizza by Alex for our networking event hosted by 4 Maine Promos. At 4 Maine Promos, Andi provides promotional products, branded business gift items, and so much more. Join us for this opportunity to connect with local businesses and leaders over pizza and drinks. Learn more about 4 Maine Promos and even have an opportunity to win a door prize!
Register on our website linked below if you plan on attending, we hope to see you there!
https://biddefordsacochamber.org/events/details/business-after-hours-with-4-maine-promos-at-pizza-by-alex-6330

02/11/2025

Every year we try to schedule a chamber/community get-together at member Harris Farm & X-Country Ski Center to go cross-country skiing. The last couple of years the weather hasn’t cooperated, but this year there is a great base of snow (with more on the way apparently) to get out on the groomed trails. It’s fun, and easy (kind of :), and it’s such a beautiful farm with open fields, wooded trails, and a full-service equipment rental facility.

The best part is enjoying Harris Farm chocolate milk after the effort in their lodge! Check out their website for ticket and rental price information. The Chamber can cover the chocolate milk though ideally you can cover your own ski ticket / rental costs.

We know it’s not easy for most people to attend a 3pm event on a weekday but if you can, we’d love to see you! If you can’t, think about scheduling your own visit to the farm sometime before the season is over, it’s a memorable experience and a great way to get outside for some fresh air during the Winter.

If you plan to attend, please register in advance so we can communicate/confirm beforehand depending on the weather:
https://biddefordsacochamber.org/events/details/x-country-skiing-event-at-harris-farm-6331

02/11/2025

Great catching up with UMA S**o Center Director Dan Philbrick and team this morning, their new location in downtown S**o is fantastic! The UMA S**o Center has served our community for over 40 years as a higher education resource for a wide variety of degree programs delivered in flexible ways to meet the needs of their students. Looking forward to the open house celebration in April!

02/10/2025

Here’s a fun Valentines Day contest from valued member and local radio station 99.3 The Wave! The drawing is on Friday … reach out to them if you’d like to learn more about their reach and partnering options.

Love is in the air and The Wave invites you to enter our, “My Valentine Photo Contest!” Simply upload a photo of your valentine through the form below, whether it’s your spouse, a special friend, a lovely neighbor or even your dearest pet to our contest page, and they’ll be entered to win a ...

02/07/2025

With the help of our friends at the Kennebunk Chamber, we are celebrating Valentine’s Day with “Paint the Town Red”. Here are some of our members that are participating with special offers for you to stay or experience this February:

Harmonic Egg S**o - Paint The Town Special-one session in Harmonic Egg S**o for $90!

The Creative Soul - Visit our website for all of the Paint The Town Red offerings.

Dirigo Physical Therapy & Performance - We will offer 50% off Sauna visits for the month of Febuary using the code PAINTTHETOWNRED

Habitat for Humanity York County/ReStore - Activities, Special Sales and Decor throughout the month.

KPort Concierge - Guests who stay in one of KPort Concierge’S luxury getaways will be greeted by a bottle of red wine, gourmet chocolates, 15% off their stay, and a late checkout. Use the code Red2025 at checkout.

Ferry Beach Conference Center & Retreat - Lover’s Getaway-February 14-16, 2025, Promo: 25% off lodging prices for this weekend and a Sunday brunch buffet is included in your stay.

The Lincoln Hotel - Slip away for a sultry escape at The Lincoln, where passion meets indulgence. Our Rendezvous for Two package sets the mood with: A decadent 8-piece assortment of locally made chocolates; A voucher for two love-themed cocktails or mocktails at our Lobby Bar (or swap for wine or beer-your desire, your choice); A guaranteed late check-out until 1 PM ($75 value) to linger a little longer; A Spotify QR code to unlock a steamy soundtrack for your stay. Turn up the heat, sip, savor, and stay a while-your romantic retreat awaits.

❤️Check out more offers at https://gokennebunks.com/paintthetownred/

02/07/2025

With the help of our friends at the Kennebunk Chamber, we are celebrating Valentine’s Day with “Paint the Town Red”. Here are some of our food/beverage members that are participating with special offers for you this February:
Apéro - with a prix fix menu to treat your special someone!

The Garden Bar - purchase any bowl on Feb 14th and receive a free Valentine’s Day cookie.

S**o House of Pizza - Family Pack: Large Cheese Pizza, Large Fries, & 2 Liter Soda $24.49; Wing Pack: Large Cheese Pizza, Large Fries, Small Wings, & 2 Liter Soda $33.99; 2 Large 1-Topping Pizzas $31.99

Super Sub Shop - Buy any Hot Sandwich and get a second Hot Sandwich half off. Must mention Paint the Town Red Offer at checkout. Not available for delivery orders.

Swell Nitro Coffee - Pre-order ends today 2/7 with a few extra to purchase on Valentines Day. $40 Package includes 16oz. Drink of choice, mini flower bouquet, Custom Valentine Card, Heart Balloon, 2 Macarons.

Ore Nell’s North - Come try their special Prix Fixe menu February 13-15 for a Valentines treat.

❤️Check out more offers at https://gokennebunks.com/paintthetownred/

02/06/2025

Member has a spectacular “Princess Ball” event coming up on March 1st - you can attend it or choose to be part of the cast! Reach out to them for more info…

02/05/2025

The is looking for volunteers for their Money Minders program. This is a great initiative that helps older residents with their finances, bill paying, budgeting, etc. SMAAA will do all of the training. Give them a call to learn more!

02/04/2025

Attendees at our Annual Meeting last week had the memorable opportunity to hear from Guest Speaker Dajuan Eubanks, the President of the He spoke about his journey from attending college in Texas to playing with the Harlem Globetrotters to various business leadership roles culminating in his leadership of the Celtics G-League affiliate in Portland for the past decade. His address was focused on “Leadership that Elevates” and he talked about his efforts to inspire the next generation, emphasizing the importance of education to enable opportunities, along with his commitment to being a passionate advocate for the core values of inclusivity, opportunity, and community-building throughout Maine. Thank you Dajuan for your inspiring words and the positive impact you are making in Maine!

02/04/2025

We want to thank our valued Directors on the Chamber Board whose term of service concluded at the end of 2024: Kelly Fowler of Unitil, Allison Kenty of MaineHealth Maine Medical Center, and the City of S**o Government's Marshall Archer who served as Chair of the Board these past two years. Marshall was not able to join us for out recent Annual Meeting but he provided this video recap of his time with the Chamber and his thoughts about the value of collaboration and community in driving progress. Thank you Marshall for your dedication and leadership on our Board and best wishes for continued positive impact in your tenure now going forward as a local Representative in Augusta!

02/04/2025

At the Chamber’s recent Annual Meeting, we were thrilled to present our annual Member Awards to the following deserving businesses and organizations:

The New Business of the Year award was given to Biddeford-based 207 Roofers for their customer-centric orientation and their focus on solving customer problems.

The Non-Profit Organization of the Year award was given to The Ecology School of S**o for their twenty-five years of passionate commitment to hands-on learning and for transforming how students and adults think about food, ecosystems, and the environment that sustains us all.

The Small Business of the Year honor was awarded to Beaupre Fuels of Biddeford. A long-time family business in the area, they have been service-oriented and proactive in the community for over seventy-five years and three generations.

The Large Business of the Year award was given to Consolidated Communications / Fidium. The company was cited for their commitment to providing excellent service throughout Maine and investing in Maine and their Maine-based employees for success.

The Employer of the Year award was given to Ferry Beach Retreat & Conference Center of S**o. Their mission-driven and values-based culture creates an employee team environment that is inclusive, supportive and community-oriented.

The Chamber extends their congratulations and appreciation to all the above award winners!

02/03/2025

Great SBN story here on a valued member!

For those mourning a pet, Biddeford veterinarian calms the waters

02/03/2025

At the Chamber’s annual meeting last week at PeoplesChoice Credit Union, long-time Biddeford Mayor Alan Casavant was awarded the prestigious A. William Kany, Jr. Leadership Award for his innumerable contributions throughout his life of service to the city. The award was presented by former city solicitor Keith Jacques.

The A. William Kany, Jr. Leadership Award is given annually to a local leader who has significantly contributed to the growth and success of the Biddeford & S**o region over many years. It is a collaborative effort spearheaded by three local civic and community organizations: and the Chamber of Commerce, along with Executive Vice-President Bill Kany.

Casavant served as Biddeford’s Mayor from 2012 to 2024 and served in the Maine House of Representatives from 2008 to 2014. Prior to that he served on the Biddeford City Council for eighteen years and taught for thirty-five years at Biddeford High School. During his time in office, Biddeford was widely celebrated for what he termed as the “Biddessance” featuring downtown renewal, mill redevelopment, and significant overall investment activity, transforming the city into one of Maine’s top destinations and garnering regional and national press coverage and acclaim.

In accepting the award, Casavant credited the great role models that came before him such as Mayor Wallace Nutting, and the talented and passionate people that he was fortunate enough to work with throughout his leadership career.

The award given was a custom painting by S**o-based artist Steve Harmon, depicting the recently renovated Biddeford City Hall that Casavant spent countless hours in serving the city he loves so well.


Congratulations Alan and thank you for everything you’ve done to help make Biddeford such a special community!

01/31/2025

Starting on Monday, York County Community Action Corporation will be adding more trips on their Southern Maine Connector route which travels between Sanford/Springvale, Biddeford and S**o. This will double the number of round trips per day, and also expand the service day to earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon. A link to the new schedule is provided below. It is part of their overall plan to expand and diversify services to meet the transportation needs of residents, businesses and communities of York County.

We offer regularly scheduled bus and van service throughout York County.

01/27/2025

We’re excited to launch a Young Professionals Group (YPG) for Biddeford & S**o, focusing on providing young professionals with tools, skills, and networking opportunities to help them grow in their careers and make increasingly positive impacts in our communities. Through skill development, networking, interactive workshops, and collaborative projects, the program aims to inspire young leaders aged 20-39 to take on greater roles in their organizations and beyond. The introductory kick-off meeting for this group will be held on Thursday, February 13th from 5pm-6:30pm at Social House Kitchen, S**o. If you’re a young professional eager to connect and grow in your career and in the community, please join us ... all are welcome! If you plan to attend please let us know for planning purposes by registering here:
https://biddefordsacochamber.org/events/details/young-professionals-group-kick-off-meeting-6320