GROWING MAINE FROM WITHIN: The Small Business Initiative

Laws passed by the Maine Legislature to support small businesses

122nd LEGISLATURE (2005-2006)

CREATED STATE OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
dedicated to the needs of small businesses
One of the most exciting developments in the package, this bill was rewritten with strong bipartisan support to create the new office within the Department of Economic and Community Development to advocate for small businesses and entrepreneurs, oversee and audit investments in small business and entrepreneurship initiatives, and otherwise work to further the efforts at supporting Maine’s small businesses.

RE-CREATED THE MAINE REGULATORY FAIRNESS BOARD
to hear testimony and suggest changes in laws and regulations
The board was established years ago, but never convened. Included as part of bill described above, this legislation re-created the board, added greater small business representation to it, and boosted its profile. Rep. Nancy Smith, House chair of the Business Research and Economic Development Committee, has pledged to monitor this piece of legislation and ensure it is properly implemented.

MAKE IT EASIER FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO BID ON STATE CONTRACTS
LD 1015 directs state agencies to do more outreach to the small business community, and offer procurement assistance through the Market Development Center so that small businesses can more easily compete for state contracts.

PROVIDE IMPROVED SERVICES TO SMALL BUSINESSES IN MAINE
The Department of Economic and Community Development will work to develop a proposal that focuses on better promoting and marketing the Business Answers program, its website and its toll-free telephone service to the public in order to increase the public's awareness of the valuable services that are being offered and to report back to the Legislature by Feb. 1, 2006.

PROVIDE SMALL START-UP LOANS TO RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES TO START TECHNOLOGY-BASED BUSINESSES
The Future for Youth in Maine Loan Repayment Program is designed to recruit and retain college graduates to start new technology-based businesses and to work in occupations and industries facing labor shortages in the State.
The Finance Authority of Maine will seek private and federal funds to establish the loan program.

121st LEGISLATURE (2003-2004)

CREATED AND PRESERVED DIRIGO HEALTH
Over 130,000 Maine people go without health insurance, and most of them work in small business or are self-employed. The Legislature worked with the governor to create Dirigo Health, a complete statewide healthcare program that aims to provide a low cost, comprehensive insurance package to every uninsured person in the state. Lack of affordable health care is a significant drag on Maine’s economy that hurts more than just the people without health insurance. With family discounts available and incentives for members in the Healthy Maine Rewards program, Dirigo offers an affordable health insurance alternative. Monthly costs for a single employee begin at $260, with employers assuming 60 percent of the monthly rate. For many small businesses, enrolling in Dirigo will make the difference in being able to keep qualified employees. Substantial discounts will be available for low-income subscribers.
Legislators protected Dirigo Health and its promise of affordable and comprehensive health care for Maine’s small businesses and self-employed despite extreme pressures from a tight budget this year. The Legislature preserved the $53 million in start-up funds that are necessary for the program’s success when it begins signing people up in July.

IMPROVED BUSINESS PERMITTING
Maine businesses will find it easier to apply for permits and licenses that are needed to operate through a new and innovative Internet program. New and existing businesses are now able to download or fill-out necessary permits online, allowing them to get up and running faster than ever.

MADE WORKER’S COMPENSATION WORK
The Legislature changed the make-up of the Worker’s Compensation Board after hearing unprecedented support from both employers and labor. Revamping the Worker’s Compensation Board eliminates the gridlock of recent years that has hurt both employers and employees.

EMPOWERED THE LORING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Conformed the Loring Development Authority of Maine's bonding powers to those bonding powers of other agencies of the State, increasing the Loring Development Authority’s ability to help local businesses get off the ground and thrive.

120th LEGISLATURE (2001-2002)

IMPROVED DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
The legislature allocated funding to recapitalize the Maine Microenterprise Initiative, which provides grants to community-based organizations to help them in providing technical assistance and training to microenterprises. The same allocation appropriated funding to communities to help recover from the loss of local industries.

ENHANCED THE SMALL ENTERPRISE GROWTH PROGRAM
The Small Enterprise Growth Program was developed to make investments in small businesses that show promise, and the 120th legislature allowed the program to make subsequent investments in companies that showed growth since the initial investment. The program was able to continue to nurture these programs beyond one investment, and the results proved to be a huge benefit to those businesses.

ESTABLISHED THE WASHINGTON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
The Washington County Development Authority gives Washington County the ability to lease, sell and transfer decommissioned military property to interested businesses looking to move or expand, and to apply for grants to support the authority's activities.