SACO — The local chamber of commerce is competing with the overseer of a Lewiston/Auburn young entrepreneur contest for a proposed Saco Entrepreneurial Contest.

The Economic Development Commission discussed on Monday a proposed“Start-Up Saco” contest that awards one or more potential start-up businesses in the city.

Paul Badeau, President of Badeau Branding & Communications, was a classmate of Don Pilon’s in the Maine Development Foundation’s Leadership Maine program.

Four years ago, Badeau, through the Lewiston Auburn Economic Growth Council, spearheaded the “Launch L-A Young Entrepreneur Contest.”

“It’s not simply a contest. It’s sending a message you want young people to come back,” he said.

Badeau is proposing a similar program in Saco, which would be targeted to young entrepreneurs aged 25-30 who wish to start a business in downtown Saco.

Badeau said the winner of the Lewiston/Auburn contest, Revolution Massage, won $100,000 of in-kind service and seed money. Badeau said the company has grown from two to 20 employees.

Badeau’s proposed budget to head the proposed project is $18,000 to $22,000.

Craig Pendleton, executive director of the Biddeford + Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry, said the chamber played “a very small role” in the Biddeford Main Street challenge, and would like the lead role, working with the city and area organizations, in the proposed Start-Up Saco! contest.

Pendleton said the chamber has more than 200 members locally and has a very good working relationship with the Biddeford Saco Area Economic Development Corporation. Pendleton said he would like to have a stronger working relationship with Saco Spirit and the city of Saco. He said relations with the city had been tense after the chamber decided to move its office out of the Saco train station, and this would be “a great opportunity to clear the air.”

Pendleton said he felt such a contest should be open to potential businesses in all of Saco, not just the downtown, and that it should be open to a broader age span. In a memorandum to the city, Pendleton wrote that he felt the proposed contest should have two, if not three winners.

Pendleton said a steering committee would contact property owners and landowners for the possibility of six months of free rent to the winners or longer term reduced rent, and the winners would receive a free year membership in the chamber.

Pendleton said if the chamber were to take the lead in the proposed contest, the city would have to increase its contribution to the chamber from $3,000 to $5,000 and give the chamber $1,000 a month compensation.

Johanna Hoffman, president of local economic development group Saco Maine Street ”“ formerly known as Saco Spirit ”“ and Executive Director Nadeen DeSilva spoke in favor of Pendleton’s proposal.

“I just feel like we have all the resources here and we need to tap into them,” said DeSilva.

The commission did not make any decisions Monday regarding the two proposals and will discuss the topic further at a later date.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].