Just a few of the methods they use to accomplish this include systems for managing conflict and communicating with family members who are not part of the business, as well as with non-family members who are involved in the business. Strong corporate citizens, the family and the newspaper have also been active supporters of many community initiatives including Chamber events and the United Way. All have had extensive experience in family firms. Why Family Businesses Are Important Keynote speaker of the event, Frank Blethen, CEO of Blethen Maine Newspapers, said that he is often asked me why family businesses are so important and why he has such a passion for them. The audience of over 100 family business members was clearly appreciative of Blethen's strong remarks.
Family businesses are the heart and soul of our local communities.
Blethen said that we are in the midst of an era of tremendous consolidation of almost every traditional industry in America. Most of our industries are now controlled by faceless, and often soulless, institutional investors. Often with little regard for community service, employees, or the communities they do business in. It's family-owned businesses that give us a sense of community, that make community building and quality of life their highest priorities. It's family businesses that care about creating jobs.