Tag: Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce

New Chamber director is full of enthusiasm

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

To answer one of our questions, Alex MacPhail patiently scrolls through a series of data on his computer monitor. He seems naturally comfortable and at ease, sitting at his desk and eagerly talking about the “unlimited potential” of the Biddeford-Saco region.

MacPhail, 57, is the new executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and says the new job fits like a glove.

“This is the stuff I get excited about,” MacPhail explains. “This is where the rubber meets the road in terms of community engagement and growth.”

Alex MacPhail is the new executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce

MacPhail is quick to point out that the Chamber is much more than a business networking group. The membership also includes dozens of non-profit organizations, local government representatives and individuals working on a wide variety of projects.

“We’re not here to just do ribbon cuttings and after-hours social mixers,” MacPhail said. “We’re here to engage and raise awareness about so many of the incredible businesses and organizations that are the backbone of this community.”

MacPhail took over the Chamber’s helm in November following the sudden departure of former director Matt Lewis who was fired after only six months on the job.

MacPhail declined to speculate why the Chamber’s board decided to let go of Lewis. Instead, MacPhail is focused on some changes he’s planning to make.

“In some ways, I am putting things back together,” he said. “We’re working to build stronger relationships – paving the way for our members to be more engaged and more visible.”

The Chamber, MacPhail says, can advocate for area businesses on issues that affect and impact the entire community, such as workforce development and the need for affordable housing.

“Businesses rely on stable, quality employees,” he explains. “We need to partner with government officials and others to make sure that we’re not putting up barriers or ignoring the needs of the private sector.”

In terms of local government officials, MacPhail is married to Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail.

Alex says that relationship does not present any tangible conflicts of interest.

“Sure, we talk about stuff privately,” he says. “But we do a really good job of staying in our own lanes.”

MacPhail previously worked for the Chamber in 2019 as a market specialist and volunteered at the Chamber long before his wife was elected to the Saco City Council and then later as the city’s mayor.

A native of the Boston area, MacPhail said he discovered the Biddeford-Saco region when his family would visit Old Orchard Beach in the summers.

“How can you not love this place,” he says, rattling off the region’s attributes including stunning natural resources, historical attributes and solid infrastructure.

MacPhail is a musician and plays the guitar. After high school, he wound up living in the Los Angeles area where he ended up becoming involved in the music industry and band management.

“Networking and building relationships have always come to me naturally,” he explains. “I see potential, and I get excited about it.”

The Chamber of Commerce works closely with other business advocacy groups including the Heart of Biddeford and Saco Main Street.

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“I see potential, and I get excited about it.”

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All three organizations receive some public funding from the cities of Biddeford and Saco.

When asked if that funding is redundant, MacPhail says there is some overlap but all three organizations have a different focus.

“The Heart of Biddeford is awesome,” MacPhail says. “But their focus is limited to just the downtown area. We represent and work with organizations all across the cities, in the industrial parks, the business parks and different neighborhoods.”

MacPhail says the Chamber offers its members a wide range of benefits, including analytical data regarding local trends and demographics.

“When you join the Chamber, you suddenly become part of a much larger organization. You are connected and have a strong advocate in your corner,” he said.

MacPhail says he is excited about some new projects and resurrecting some former projects such as publishing a regional business guidebook.

“This is the kind of job that you have to love in order to do it well,” he said. “We have a great board of directors that are fully committed. I get up every morning excited to go to work.”

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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com

c.) 2026 All Rights Reserved

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What’s happening in Biddeford?

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

Residents and visitors to Biddeford now have access to a free online community calendar that is designed to be a one-stop resource regarding local events.

The Yodel Event Calendar represents a collaborative project between four organizations: the Heart of Biddeford; the Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce; the Biddeford School Department and the city of Biddeford.

According to a press release sent to the Biddeford Gazette, the new calendar is designed to makes it easier for businesses, residents and visitors to stay informed about local happenings in one convenient location.

The new online calendar will include all types of events, from live music and family-friendly activities to business networking events and city meetings.

“There are so many activities and events to explore in Biddeford, especially as we approach the summer months,” said Delilah Poupore, executive director of the Heart of Biddeford. “But we often hear feedback that people aren’t sure where to go to find information about those events. We are thrilled to provide this user-friendly calendar as a solution to that problem.”

The Yodel Event Calendar allows users to filter events by type, making it easy to find exactly what interests them in a streamlined, organized experience. Yodel’s technology automatically curates most events seen on the calendar, saving local organizations time and effort while also promoting their events for them.

The new event calendar can be accessed on the websites for Heart of Biddeford, the Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Biddeford School Department and the city of Biddeford, as well as at https://events.yodel.today/biddeford-me/community.

Additionally, community members can access the calendar on the go by downloading the Yodel app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

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New Chamber director: ‘Lots of opportunities here’

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

Matt Lewis sees nothing but potential in the Biddeford-Saco area.

Lewis, 58, was hired in May as the new executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Lewis moved to Maine from the San Francisco area a little more than two years ago. California, he said, is still struggling from the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I had visited Maine many times as a leisure traveler,” he said. “I love it here, so when I saw a job opportunity pop up, I didn’t hesitate.”

That job opportunity was serving as the executive director of Hospitality Maine, a non-profit organization that represents the interests of the hospitality industry, including lodging establishments and restaurants.

Lewis bought a home in Saco and is now working to immerse himself in the community. “People are very friendly here,” he said. “It feels very welcoming.”

When asked about his priorities for the Chamber, Lewis said that continually increasing the visibility of the Chamber is very important.

“I’m always going to be
looking for opportunities
to partner with others.”

— Matt Lewis

“We want to continue building trust,” he said. “Obviously, we are always looking for ways to increase our membership, but I think it’s equally important to support our existing members.”

The Chamber is not the only organization with a mission to boost local businesses. The Heart of Biddeford and Saco Main Street have overlapping goals with the Chamber. Lewis describes that as a wonderful opportunity for a team approach and collaboration.

“I’m always going to be looking for opportunities to partner with others,” Lewis said.

Both the Heart of Biddeford and Saco Main Street have a downtown focus. The Chamber, Lewis says, has a much wider area to cover, including the cities’ industrial and business parks.

“We have members in Waterboro, Kennebunk and Old Orchard Beach,” Lewis said.

Lewis describes life in southern Maine as “interesting.”

“I get phone calls here that I never expected,” he said. “People here really do value the Chambers. I recently got a call from someone asking me for information about the pet cemetery in Saco.”

Lewis says he has a sales and marketing background. In just the last few weeks he has already “signed up several new members.”

Lewis said he could not be happier with his new job.

“We have a great board of directors,” he said. “I also feel supported by local leaders including the mayors of Biddeford and Saco. We all share the same goals.”

Lewis said he sometimes wonders if residents realize just how lucky they are to live in the Biddeford-Saco area.

“This community has so many positive things going for it,” he said, pointing to beaches, easy access to I-95, thriving business parks and a downtown that is being revitalized and transformed.

“There is so much potential here,” Lewis said. “I’m not suggesting that we don’t have challenges, but we have a solid foundation to build on here.”

Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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New program aims to employ unhoused people

~ Randy Seaver ~ 1 Comment

A new program is being launched in Biddeford to help find work opportunities for unhoused individuals in the community.

Organizers are calling it the “Biddeford Opportunity Crew,” and it is a collaborative effort between several organizations to help “champion a workforce with purpose.”

The Biddeford Opportunity Crew is a new initiative based on a nationwide model that provides paid, meaningful work for local residents who face barriers to traditional employment. Primary project partners include the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce, Seeds of Hope, the Heart of Biddeford and the city’s General Assistance office.

Organizers say the new program will “give participants purpose, income, job readiness, and a direct way to contribute to the community.”

In a notice released by the Chamber, organizers said that “many people in our city want to work — but are held back by housing instability, a prior record, lack of transportation or work clothes. The Opportunity Crew will give them a path forward.”

From June 1 through Labor Day, a supervised team of five individuals will be hired to complete beautification and maintenance projects throughout the city – from public parks to sidewalks to eligible clean-up tasks for small businesses. Workers will earn minimum wage, receive breakfast and lunch, and be supervised by a city staff member. The program will operate two days a week for the pilot year and be managed through the city of Biddeford’s General Assistance office.

This will be a city-run program, but it’s powered by community partnership, say organizers, hoping area businesses will help support the new program with donations, sponsorships and job opportunities. Participating businesses will be mentioned in press releases and updated social media posts about the initiative if desired.

“I’m really excited about this program,” said Vassie Fowler, executive director of the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center on South Street. “We’ve been talking about this for a few months, and I think it’s going to be a really great opportunity for people trying to put their lives back together.

“We want to help people restore their dignity and self-worth,” she added.

Fowler said the new program will not be mandatory or a requirement to receive benefits. Instead, the new program is intended to give unhoused people an opportunity to begin putting their lives back on track.

To learn more or become a sponsor of the new program, please contact Jake Hammer, Biddeford’s General Assistance Supervisor at | 207.298.3913 or jacob.hammer@biddeformaine.org

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Chamber director announces pending departure

~ Randy Seaver ~ Leave a comment

After nearly seven years at the helm, Jim LaBelle announced Thursday that he will be stepping down as executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry.

LaBelle, 60, said he plans to stay in place and help the Chamber with its transition to new leadership.

“It’s not an easy decision because I really enjoy what I am doing,” LaBelle said during a telephone interview. “I’m just at a point in my life where I want to take a step back and focus on my personal life and goals.”

Jim LaBelle/ Contributed photo

LaBelle said he is proud of his accomplishments at the Chamber, most notably a significant increase in membership, from the mid-300s to more than 460 members today.

“We have held more than 100 ribbon cuttings, and this community has experienced unprecedented economic growth,” LaBelle said. “I live in this community. I love this community, and I will be forever rooting for this community.”

LaBelle said he believes the Chamber needs to be continually evolving in order to better serve its members and the overall business community.

“The next leader will need to be visionary,” LaBelle said. “Hopefully someone a bit younger with fresh ideas to make sure that the Chamber remains relevant well into the future.”

LaBelle, known for his trademark optimism, admits that he has always been a glass-half-full person. “It’s easy to be optimistic in this community,” he said.

“He’s basically working all alone, and yet he’s always ready to dig in.
Always looking for ways to help. It will not be easy to fill his shoes.”

— Mayor Marty Grohman

Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman had nothing but praise for LaBelle and his performance as the Chamber’s executive director.

“Jim has been truly incredible,” Grohman said. “He makes it look easy, but he has done so many positive things for the community.”

A few years ago, Grohman served on the Chamber’s board of directors and today the mayor is an ex-officio member of the Chamber.

“From behind the scenes, I can tell you that Jim is one of those people. He’s the guy with the enthusiasm and the optimism. He’s basically working all alone, and yet he’s always ready to dig in. Always looking for ways to help. It will not be easy to fill his shoes.”

LaBelle said running the Chamber has not always been easy, pointing to the Covid pandemic. “You know, the Chamber is all about bringing people together, and we had to figure out how to do that without actually getting together in person,” he laughed.

LaBelle also looked for ways to capitalize on technology, and the use of social media to promote the community. During his tenure, a Chamber employee created what would become one of the area’s most prolific Facebook community groups. Today, the Biddeford+Saco Community page is no longer managed by the Chamber but has more than 18,000 members.

But for all of its benefits, social media proved to have its own pitfalls, continually requiring more time to moderate and manage the online forum.

For his part, LaBelle said he is looking forward to having some more down time. He’s not exactly sure what his future will look like, but says a change of pace will allow him the opportunity to take stock of where he is and where he wants to be.

“I have been really lucky so far,” he said. “Now, I’m just looking at the future as a blank page, but there is no doubt that I am going to miss the opportunity I had while working here.”

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