On Thursday night, March 27, Midcoast Magnet held another one of their Munchies & Mingling social events attracting artists, entrepreneurs, business owners and supporters of the Creative Economy.  Asymmetrick Arts in Rockland provided the casual space and Kerry Alterio, chef-owner of Cafe Miranda, provided his famous homemade foccacia and salad appetizer.

The most buzzed about local entrepreneur that evening had to be Kate McAleer, owner of Bixby & Co., a two-person organic candy bar company that recently re-located from the old O'Hara Corp. ice factory from a small food incubator in Belfast to downtown Rockland. Bixby & Co. is a finalist in the LaunchPad competition (and the only Midcoast business in the finals), which grants a $30k prize to the winner. Last night, Kate was encouraging everyone to vote online through an iPad. 

MidMag’s organizer Amber Heffner Cosby and Board Chair Amanda Roberson Austin gave the audience of about 35 people a sneak peek of what to expect for Juice 4.0 on November 13-15, 2014 in Rockland. The statewide conference will attract leaders, policy makers, entrepreneurs, artists and innovators to connect, collaborate, and create opportunities for economic development. More than 400 people from Maine and beyond are expected to attend conference related events in the Midcoast.

The theme of the conference is "Imagining Trust." Recent research studies have indicated that success in small business and the arts is less about unique and motivated individuals but more about the social networks and trust that exists within the communities in which they operate.

For more information on attending, sponsorship opportunities, or general inquiries, please contact Midcoast Magnet by email at: info@midcoastmagnet.com.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com