Why Maine?

From Maine's excellent workforce to our creative entrepreneurship, Maine is one of the best states to start or expand and relocate a business. In addition to our esteemed cities and high quality of life, Maine's business climate is competitive and energetic. Maine's cost of doing business is the lowest in New England and our geographic location is in the heart of the Northeast—close to New York City, Boston and Canada. The Northeast has the most highly concentrated U.S. population at 55 million, the wealthiest consumers and great transportation infrastructure - Maine's proximity is ideal for businesses.

When it comes to doing business, there's more to Maine.

Maine's Skilled Workforce:

• We are known for being highly productive & loyal.
• Competitive labor costs at 6% less than the national per capita rate.
• State-funded workforce training.

Strategic Location:

• Three commercial deepwater ports.
• Intermodal Rail Facility with Free Trade Zone.
• Affordable real estate with same day access to Boston, New York & Montreal.

Comprehensive Incentives:

• Award-winning tax incentive Pine Tree Development Zone program.
• Nationally recognized Community Development Block Grant program provides funds to projects including infrastructure development.
• Progressive tax reimbursement policies.

Innovation:

• The Maine Technology Institute offers commercialization grants & early stage financing for R&D projects.
• State University Innovation Centers fosters innovation in Life Sciences, Renewable Energy and Advanced Materials.
• World Class Research facilities including Jackson Laboratory, The Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Bigelow Laboratory, University of Maine's AEWC Advanced Structures and Composites Center.

Only in Maine

• Portland, Maine ranks fifth in the nation for being the best place to launch a small business according to a Portfolio.com/bizjournals study on small business vitality.
• From 1998 to 2007, Maine had 22.7% clean energy/green job growth compared to the national average of 9.1%.
• "At last there's a place in America where tax cutting to promote growth and attract jobs is back in fashion." The Wall Street Journal June, 24, 2009
• The London-based Foreign Direct Investment (fDi) magazine, a Financial Times publication, ranked Maine's quality of life as the best in the nation.
• Maine has a well developed, higher education system with world class Academies, Colleges and University System.
• "Portland, Maine cited as America's most livable city." Forbes.com
• Maine has a vibrant cultural scene including world renowned artists, writers, musicians, and innovative entrepreneurs that contribute to a rich environment in which to live and work.
• Maine's landscape includes 5500 miles of coastline, 6000 lakes and world-class sustainable forests.