Making a big impact one small business at a time.
Each day, we strive to create positive impacts that move us closer to our vision of a just, vibrant and climate resilient future for people and communities in Maine and rural regions.
Since CEI’s founding in 1977, the CEI family of organizations has invested $1.53 billion in 3,222 businesses and projects that are revitalizing Maine and creating positive economic ripple effects in rural regions throughout the U.S.
The following impacts below are from our most recent fiscal year (Oct 1- Sept 30) and are limited to the CEI parent organization only.
IMPACT FISCAL YEAR 2024
Lending & Investment
lent or invested in Maine & Nationally
loans to rural businesses
loans to small business owners with low incomes
loans to women-owned businesses
companies in Maine that received Good Jobs Advising
Business Advising
6,739 hours
of one-on-one business advice or training provided at no-cost
Financial Wellness Coaching
834 people
participated in homeownership counseling and financial education that helped them purchase homes, avoid foreclosures or build their savings
Policy Advocacy & Systems Change
34 Bills
testified on before the Maine State Legislature
