Business Resources

Maine Business Resources

Business Resource Center (Eastern Maine Community College): "The goal of EMCC's Small Business Entrepreneurial Program is to support and foster student and community small business and entrepreneurial activities. This support is provided through on-campus access to accredited entrepreneurial and small business education, counseling, mentoring and technology."

Coastal Enterprises, Inc.: A private, nonprofit Community Development Corporation (CDC) and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with roots in the civil rights movement. Founded in 1977, the organization provides financing and support in the development of job-creating small businesses, natural resources industries, community facilities, and affordable housing. CEI's primary market is Maine, but, in recent years, has expanded several of its financing programs to northern New England, upstate New York and beyond.

Heart of Maine Resource Conservation and Development: An organization whose mission is: ""To inspire and cultivate the leadership needed to create jobs and enrich lives through the conservation and development of local natural resources."

Maine Business Works: Maine Business Works (MBW) is an on-line business development resource for Maine.

Maine Department Economic and Community Development: "DECD serves as the umbrella organization to the offices of Tourism, Business Development, the International Trade Center, Community Development, Film and Innovation and Science. In addition, we are proud of our Made in Maine program, which is recognized worldwide for its quality and integrity."

Maine Development Foundation: "The Maine Development Foundation (MDF) drives sustainable, long-term economic growth for Maine. MDF stimulates new ideas, develops leaders, and provides common ground for solving problems and advancing issues. "

Maine District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration: This organization offers free counseling, advice and information on starting a business, free consulting service, financial assistance, management and technical assistance and minority enterprise development.

Maine.gov: Business: Information on starting a business, licensing, laws & regulations, and other helpful resources for the state of Maine.

Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership: "Maine MEP is able to leverage a vast array of public and private resources and services that are available to every manufacturing enterprise in Maine. The nationwide system of MEP centers is linked through the U.S. Department of Commerce - National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), with the common goal to strengthen the global competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers."

Maine Small Business Development Centers: "Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC) and its technology-focused group, the Maine Small Business & Technology Development Centers (Maine SBTDC), provide comprehensive business management assistance, training, resource and information services to Maine's micro, small, and technology-based business communities."

Maine Technology Institute: "The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) offers early-stage, patient capital and commercialization assistance for the research and development of innovative technology-based projects that create new products and services, generating jobs in Maine."

State of Maine Office of Business Development: "The Office of Business Development is dedicated to helping companies in Maine grow and prosper. Our goal is to create an energetic business climate that will expand Maine's economy, attract new businesses and create jobs and prosperity for our citizens."

National Business Resources

U.S. Small Business Administration: "Programs to help you start, grow, and succeed" in your small business venture.

Small Business Development Center National Information Clearinghouse: "Dedicated to meeting the information needs of the SBDC community with timely, relevant, research upon request without charge. The web site provides information to both the entrepreneur and services to the SBDC Business Advisor."

National Association for Business Resources: "America's most comprehensive organization devoted to affordable services, counseling and education for small and medium-sized businesses."

National Business Incubation Association: "The world's leading organization advancing business incubation and entrepreneurship. It provides thousands of professionals with the information, education, advocacy and networking resources to bring excellence to the process of assisting early-stage companies worldwide."

National Business Institute: "Providing legal knowledge to any business, anytime, anywhere."