Business Start up help Maine

Business Services
125 Manely Road, Auburn, ME 04210
Phone: (207) 783-9186
Fax: (207) 783-5211
URL: http://www.avcog.org/
"AVCOG offers a variety or services and programs targeted directly to businesses in the tri-county area. The AVCOG Region encompasses the Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford Counties of Maine."

Biddeford-Saco Area Economic Development Corporation/Micro-Loan Fund
110 Main Street, Suite 1202, Sacro, ME 04072
Phone: (207) 282-1748
Fax: (207) 282-3149
E-mail: info@bsaedc.org
URL: http://www.bsaedc.org/

Geographic Area Served: Arundel, Biddeford, Buxton, Dayton, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Lyman, Old Orchard Beach,, and Saco communities in Maine (Rural)
Mission: To provide capital and other services to industrial services to industrial and commercial enterprises that employ low-income people and expand the property tax base while maintaining the environment and quality of life in our communities.

Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI) Women's Business Development Program (WBDP)
Betsy Tipper, Telecommunications Business Counselor
36 Water Street, PO Box 268, Wiscasset, ME 04578
Phone: (207) 882-7552
Fax: (207) 882-7308
E-mail: cei@ceimaine.org
URL: http://www.ceimaine.org/

Our purposes are to: Provide financial and technical assistance for development and expansion of industries, small businesses, housing and social services; Mobilize private and public resources to support innovative projects that meet the needs of individuals, families, and communities; Create social and economic opportunities for individuals and families at risk of poverty; Engage in research and policy development; Increase public awareness and policy debate to facilitate self-determination and empowerment of people and communities; Serve as a model in the U.S. and internationally for the private and public sectors to distribute resources and focus policies more equitably for social and economic justice.

Link to Area Offices
URL: http://www.ceimaine.org/mambo/contact/catid,87/Itemid,3/

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Community Concepts, Inc.
17-19 Market Square/PO Box 278, South Paris, ME 04281
Phone: (207) 743-7716
Fax: (207) 743-6513
E-mail: dflorenz@community-concepts.org
URL: http://www.community-concepts.org/microenterprise/microenterprise.htm

"Community Concepts Inc. operates out of four regional offices within Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties. If you're looking to visit an office, see our Directions."

EnterpriseMaine
150 Main Street, South Paris, ME 04281-1469
Phone: (207) 743-8830
Fax: (207) 743-5917
URL: http://www.enterprisemaine.com/

"EnterpriseMaine is a family of community-based non-profit organizations and for profit subsidiaries dedicated to creating economic opportunity and enhancing the quality of life in rural western Maine. Our mission, Building tomorrow's economy...today" reflects our focus on leading and assisting our communities, businesses and people to successfully compete in the new economy. EnterpriseMaine organizations provide professional, confidential 1:1 services to businesses, organizations and entrepreneurs."

Eastern Maine Development Corporation (Microenterprise Program)
40 Harlow Street, Bangor, ME 04401
Phone: (207) 942-6389 or Toll Free: (800) 339-6389
Fax: (207) 942-3548
URL: http://www.emdc.org/

"EMDC's goals are aimed at improving quality of life for people who live and work in Eastern Maine by enhancing economic and community development. We will help your business expand and grow in Eastern Maine, whether you are a start-up, a micro-business or an established business of any size ."

Business Development
URL: http://www.emdc.org/business/index.cfm

Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council (LAEGC)/MicroVenture Program
95 Park Street, PO Box 1188, Lewiston, ME 04243-1188
Phone: (207) 784-0161
Fax: (207) 786-4412
E-mail: laegc@economicgrowth.org
URL: http://www.economicgrowth.org

The Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council is the central economic development agency for Lewiston-Auburn. The Growth Council works closely with clients on a fully confidential basis offering services including technical assistance, commercial financing, site searches, and marketin

Loring Commerce Centre/Loring Development Authority of Maine
154 Development Drive, Suite F, Limestone, Maine 04750-6122
Phone: (207) 328-7005
Fax: (207) 328-6811
E-mail: lda@loring.org
URL: http://www.loring.org/

The State of Maine and the Loring Development Authority (LDA) mean business about creating a business climate and tax structure that your company can live with! In addition to attractive real estate terms, in partnership with the State of Maine and local organizations, such as the Town of Limestone and the Northern Maine Development Commission, the LDA offers creative financing and incentives that make it easy for you to establish your operations at Loring.

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Maine Business Works - Financing Programs for Small Businesses by County
URL: http://www.mainebusinessworks.org/bus_loans.cfm

Maine Centers for Women, Work, and Community
Phone: (207) 621-3440 or (800) 442-2092 (in Maine)
Fax: (207) 621-3429
URL: http://www.womenworkandcommunity.org/index.shtml

Entrepreneurship Training Opportunities
URL: http://www.womenworkandcommunity.org/microenterprise.shtml

"Women, Work, and Community is committed to improving the economic lives of Maine women and their families. We work with women 'where they are' and provide them with support, guidance, and the tools they need to take the next steps toward a more promising future. We provide training, advocacy and assistance in four program areas: Workforce development, including career planning, employment, retention and advancement in jobs that pay a living wage; and access to education and skills training; Microenterprise development, including business plan development, start-up support and coaching, access to credit through a micro-loan fund, and linkages to on-going technical assistance; Asset development through a matched saving program, car and computer donations, and training in money management; Leadership development, including a curriculum that explores the workings of the local economy, women's roles in building community, and opportunities to practice leadership; a legislative awareness day, conferences, and outdoor adventure challenges."

Maine Enterprise Option
Maine Department of Labor
20 Union Street, P.O. Box 259, Augusta, Maine 04332-0259
Toll Free: (888) 982-4311
TTY: (800)794-1110
URL: http://www.state.me.us/labor/uibennys/PDF%20FILES/WordDoc/meo-13-web.htm

"Is starting a business the right choice for you? The Maine Enterprise Option Program (MEO) is for individuals who are collecting unemployment benefits and are considering starting a business."

Maine Small Business Development Center
96 Falmouth Street, P.O. Box 9300, Portland, ME 04104-9300
Phone: (207) 780-4420
Toll-free: (800) 679-SBDC
Fax: (207) 780-4810
TTY: (207) 780-5646
URL: http://www.mainesbdc.org/

Maine State Chamber of Commerce
7 University Drive, Augusta, ME 04330-9412
Phone: (207) 623-4568
Fax: (207) 622-7723
E-mail: info@mainechamber.org
URL: http://www.mainechamber.org/

Links to local Chambers of Commerce
URL: http://www.mainechamber.org/local_chambers.asp

"Learn more about working and doing business in Maine. Find business resources, downloadable corporate forms and tax forms, licensing and regulatory information, and more. Visit the employment page to find both government and non-government job listings and training resources."

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Maine Department of Economic and Community Development
Phone: (207) 624-9800
URL: http://www.econdevmaine.com/

In 1987, the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) was established to provide cabinet-level attention to the issues of economic and community development in Maine. DECD offers programs in the areas of business development, tourism and community development. These programs are designed to further the overall mission of DECD, which is to:

Facilitate and coordinate the development of policies and programs for economic and community development

Work with municipalities as well as regional planning and economic development organizations to implement those programs

Encourage the creation and retention of quality jobs through increased private-sector involvement.

Maine Business Resource Guide (PDF Format)
URL: http://www.econdevmaine.com/resources/default.asp

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Maine Procurement Technical Assistance Center
40 Harlow Street, Bangor, ME 04402
Phone: (800) 339-6389 or (207) 942-6389
E-mail: maineptac@emdc.org
URL: http://www.maineptac.org/

The Maine PTAC is part of a nationwide network of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, or PTACs, that helps Maine small businesses obtain government contracts with the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, state and local governments and federal prime contractors. Let us show you how we are Maine’s Best Government Market Business Resource.

Maine Development Foundation
45 Memorial Circle, Augusta ME 04330
Phone: (207) 622-6345
Fax: (207) 622-6346
E-mail: mdf@mdf.org
URL: http://www.mdf.org/

Northern Maine Development Commission
11 West Presque Isle Road / P.O. Box 779, Caribou, ME 04736
Phone: (207) 498-8736 or (800)427-8736
Fax: (207) 493-3108
URL: http://www.nmdc.org/

Service Area: Aroostook, Piscataquis, Washington, Penobscot and Hancock. Providing Economic and Community Development, Business Finance, Small Business Counseling and Planning Services

Penquis Community Action Program
262 Harlow Street, PO Box 1162, Bangor, ME 04402
Phone: (207) 973-3500
TDD: (207) 973-3520
Fax: (207) 973-3699
URL: http://www.penquiscap.org/penquis.nsf/webpages/Economic+Development

Geographic Area Served: Penobscot and Piscataquis, Maine (Rural, Urban)
Mission: To use microenterprise development as a catalyst for economic and community development.

Link to Area Offices
URL: http://www.penquiscap.org/penquis.nsf/webpages/Contact+Us

University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service
5741 Libby Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5741
Phone: (207) 581-3188 or (800) 287-0274 (in Maine)
TDD: 1-800-287-8957 (in Maine)
Fax: (207) 581-1387
E-mail: tnelson@umext.maine.edu
URL: http://www.umext.maine.edu/

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension (UMCE) is the major educational outreach program of the University of Maine, with offices statewide. UMCE provides Maine people with research-based educational programs to help them live fuller,

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