ROCKLAND — Local women Sue Lindley-Howard and Valerie Allis are co-owners of Shelter Cove Property Management, a new property management business located here in Midcoast Maine. What makes this business venture unique is that it is owned and operated by women, which is not very common in the state of Maine.

Shelter Cove Property Management will care for your home while you are away. Services packages can be tailored to meet your individual needs. For example, the frequency of security checks as well as the many services we offer, such as lawn mowing and snow plowing, can be customized according to your needs. Shelter Cove also offers a variety of concierge services to make your arrival back in Maine as easy and stress free as possible. These services include housekeeping, turning up the heat in the winter, purchasing groceries, making reservations or purchasing event tickets, and even having your favorite wine waiting for you, all of which can be done prior to your return.

Shelter Cove will also greet seasonal tenants or vacation renters that you may have staying at your home. Shelter Cover will serve as a friendly local resource for any questions tenants may have and will ensure that the home is clean and well maintained between tenants.

According to an article published by the Portland Press Herald on May 20,2015, Maine lags far behind the nation in growth of women owned businesses. According to U.S. Census Bureau’s business census, “The Survey of Business Owners”, which takes place every five years, women owned firms in Maine have grown at less than half the national rate since 1997. American Express has ranked Maine 47th among the 50 states in growth of the number of women owned firms over the past 18 years, and 50th in combined revenue growth among women owned businesses between 1997 and 2015.

Shelter Cove’s Valerie Allis has traveled extensively throughout the United States. She knows what it takes to make a vacation rental property successful and the vacation renter’s experience as enjoyable and memorable as possible. Valerie has volunteered for many local charitable organizations, such as The Georges River Education Foundation, the historical society, and the town recreation department, coaching soccer, softball, and baseball.

Shelter Cove’s Sue Lindley-Howard has had a vacation home in Maine for many years prior to moving here full time. She knows exactly the types of things that make homeowners feel secure when they close up their Maine house, and what to do to ready the home in anticipation of their return. Sue does volunteer work and pro bono graphic design in the community for the library, historical society, humane society, and dog park. Recently, you might have seen both Valerie and Sue volunteering their time in the lobster tent at the Rockland Lobster Festival. Both enjoy giving back to the community in any way that they can.

“We are excited to be part of the business community here in the Midcoast,” said Valerie Allis. “As women and experienced travelers, we know how to make our clients feel comfortable. We want to give our clients the peace of mind they deserve when they can’t be here themselves.”

“Doing our part to increase the number of women owned businesses here in Maine is very meaningful to us. We hope that Shelter Cove will inspire other women in the area and show that with a little hard work, there’s nothing that women can’t accomplish,” added Shelter Cove co-owner Sue Lindley-Howard.

For more information please visit Shelter Cove Property Management’s website at ShelterCovePropertyManagement.com or call 207-536-8787.