Office of Business Development
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Office of Business Development resources
The Office of Business Development (OBD) within Maine’s Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD) operates throughout the state with the goal of making Maine a great place to start and grow businesses. OBD works with businesses of all sizes from start-ups to the largest employers in the State to help them navigate state resources and provide assistance navigating challenges and opportunities.
Charlotte Mace, the Director of the Office of Business Developments, sits on the Maine Venture Funds Board, so we thought we would share a little more about the resources they provide to Maine businesses.
Specifically, OBDis responsible for:
Business Attraction – attracting new businesses to Maine that fit with Maine’s communities. We can help with site selection using our new interactive tool of commercial and industrial properties, Select Maine Sites.
Business Retention & Expansion - working with Maine businesses of all sizes to connect them to resources who can help with their day-to-day needs and plans for growth and expansion.
Tax and Other Incentives – helping businesses navigate the various economic development incentive programs available to them, such as Pine Tree Development Zone.
Domestic Trade Program – providing valuable market data for free and other resources to help businesses identify and pursue markets within the US
Business Answers – offering licensing and permitting information and answering regulatory questions
Governor’s Award for Business Excellence – recognizing outstanding Maine businesses (last year, two Maine Venture Fund portfolio companies, Atlantic Sea Farms and MedRhythms, won this prestigious award!)
Beyond these broad responsibilities, OBD works to be helpful to Maine businesses in many capacities. Here are just a few specific examples of how the OBD can help Maine businesses:
You are having an issue with Maine Revenue Services, Maine Department of Labor or other state department and you need someone to step in to streamline communications
You need a contact at a State department or in State procurement
You need help hiring workers and you need immediate resources to help with worker recruitment, retention, and training
You are interested in what grants and loans are available for a specific expansion
You are building out a new product line or expanding and want to know what incentives the State can offer to help
You want free market data to help identify and pursue domestic customers for your goods and services
You are having a ribbon-cutting and would like attendance from someone in State government
You are having issues with your utility provider and aren’t sure where to turn.
If these challenges sound familiar and you are interested in getting in touch, reach out to the OBD email - Business.Answers@maine.gov or connect with Charlotte directly at charlotte.mace@maine.gov.
Lastly, check out the OBD website for more information regarding workforce resources, starting/growing a business, and meet the whole OBD team here.
About Maine Venture Fund
Maine Venture Fund invests in Maine businesses that have the highest potential for growth and impact. For more information, visit maineventurefund.com.
Inquiries:
Terri Wark
Maine Venture Fund
(207) 305-0006
terri@maineventurefund.com
