I have been reading about a significant number of green businesses in northern New England as of late, which is great news for the environment and local economy.

In honor of Earth Day this week, this is the first of three blog posts which highlight green businesses in our three northern New England states.  Do you know of any green businesses in your town or city?  Please let us know!

First up, Maine!

1. ReStore (Holden)

ReStore is a surplus building supply resale store.  They receive building supplies, architectural pieces, and other home goods that are left over from building projects.  Instead of letting these valuable resources go to the landfill, ReStore resells them at discount prices.  If you are renovating your home, or looking to install new cabinets or light fixtures, ReStore may be the place to check out!  ReStore is a project of  Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bangor.  Read a recent article in the Bangor Daily News.

I also discovered that there are three other ReStore locations in Maine:

Seven Rivers ReStore 108 Centre St, Bath, 386-5087

Andro Habitat ReStore 44 Strawberry Ave, Lewiston, 576-5286

Portland ReStore 83A Bell St, Portland, 221-0047

2. Sea Bags (Portland)

Sea Bags is a company based in Portland that makes reusable bags out of old sails!  Bags come in a variety of sizes and designs.  Every bag is handmade and the owners keep track of how much material they use on each bag to track waste.  Pretty cool!  Check out their website to learn more.

3. Hick-Chic Bags (Ellsworth)

Sea Bags are not the only ones incorporating used materials to make new bags.  The Maine Maven recently highlighted Hick-Chic Bags, which is a new company based in Ellsworth, Maine.  As their website proclaims, Hick-Chic Bags are made out of “recycled tarps and other cool junk.”  They even take your donations of old materials!  Find out more at their website.

Do you want to stay on top of the latest green events in Maine?  Check out MaineBusiness.com’s Green page.  You can find out about upcoming events, post events, and see what is going on with green news in Maine.

Stay tuned for Green Business highlights in New Hampshire and Vermont!

If you live in Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont, be sure to tune in to your local public broadcasting television station tonight at 8 pm for the premiere of Making $ense: The Economy and Northern New England.

This is the first ever co-production between Maine Public Broadcasting, New Hampshire Public Television and Vermont Public Television.  The broadcast will feature four regional stories “that document resourceful, grassroots solutions to the looming economy.”

Specifically, they will feature stories about (from MPBN)

1. Mortgage Deferment

Maine’s Gorham Savings Bank has instituted a mortgage deferment program for its customers.  Under this new program, GSB customers finding themselves in financial hardship are afforded the opportunity to apply for a mortgage payment holiday.  To date, more than 100 customers have taken advantage of this program.

2. 10% Shift

The 10% Shift is a grassroots coalition of businesses, non-profit organizations, citizens, and goverment agencies.  Their goal is to encourage people through New England to shift 10% of their current annual spending from national chains to locally owned independet businesses ensuring a direct stimulus to the local and regional economies.

3. Time Banks

In communities throughout New England, time banks are becoming a popular way for individuals to barter for goods and services.  Vermont Public Television will visit with people making the most of time bank system, reaping great benefits while utilizing their own skills and labor.

4. Small Business

SCORE is a community-based, volunteer organization of active and retired small business ownders who counsel entrepreneurs and new small business ownders on strategies in starting and maintaining a successful business.

If you can’t watch it tonight, the program will be rebroadcast several times throughout the month of April.  Please check your local listings at MPBN, New Hampshire Public Television, and Vermont Public Television.

Goodwill is proud to be an underwriter for this exciting look at how northern New England is responding to the changing economic climate.