Business Tools

Business Specialists

Experts, assigned geographically, ready to help you find solutions. Find your specialist.

Business Answers Hotline

Specialists ready to answer your questions about doing business in Maine. Weekdays 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. EST at 1-800-872-3838 in Maine or 1-800-541-5872 from outside of Maine. Or email business.answers@maine.gov

Business Licensing Assistant

An online “wizard” to help you decide what licenses and permits you need to start your Maine business.

Publications

Maine's Business Resource Guide

Outlines more than 45 business-assistance programs offered by 17 state agency partners.
Download full version (42pp)
Download pocket version (28pp)

DECD Tools for Small Business

Guide to programs geared to micro, small and medium businesses.
Download the Guide

Links

State

Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments
http://www.avcog.org
Bureau of Financial Institutions
http://www.maine.gov/pfr/financialinstitutions/index.shtml
Center for Innovation in BioTechnology
http://www.mainebiotech.org
Coastal Enterprise
http://www.ceimaine.org
Department of Agriculture Food and Rural Resources
http://www.maine.gov/agriculture
Department of Environmental Protection
http://www.maine.gov/dep/index.shtml
Department of Marine Resources
http://www.maine.gov/dmr/index.htm
Department of Professional and Financial Regulation
http://www.maine.gov/pfr
Eastern Maine Development Corporation
http://www.emdc.org
Finance Authority of Maine
http://www.famemaine.com
Greater Portland Council of Government
http://www.gpcog.org
Kennebec Valley Council of Governments
http://www.kvcog.org
Maine & Company
http://www.maineco.org
Maine Adult Education

A complete state-wide listing of adult education courses with online registration and payment options.
http://www.maineadulted.org
Maine Business Works
http://www.mainebusinessworks.com
Maine Community College System
http://www.mccs.me.edu
Maine Department of Labor
http://www.maine.gov/labor
Maine Development Foundation
http://www.mdf.org
Maine Environment and Energy (E2) Center
http://www.e2tech.org
Maine Film Office
http://www.filminmaine.com
Maine International Trade Center
http://www.mitc.com
Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership
http://www.mainemep.org
Maine Office of Tourism
http://www.visitmaine.com
Maine Products Marketing Program
http://www.mainemade.com
Maine PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Center)

The Maine PTAC is part of a nationwide network of Procurement Technical Assistance centers, or PTAC's that helps Maine's 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.
http://www.maineptac.org
Maine Revenue Services
http://www.maine.gov/revenue
Maine Small Business Development Centers
http://www.mainesbdc.org
Maine State Chamber of Commerce
http://www.mainechamber.org
Maine Technology Institute
http://www.mainetechnology.org
Maine Wood Products Association
http://www.mainewood.org
Manufacturers Association of Maine (formerly Maine Metal Products Association)
http://www.maine-metals.org
Midcoast Council for Business Development and Planning
http://www.mcbdp.org
Northern Maine Development Commission
http://www.nmdc.org
Office of the Governor
http://www.maine.gov/governor
State of Maine
http://www.maine.gov
State Planning Office
http://www.state.me.us/spo/
Tech Maine (formerly MESDA)
http://www.mesda.com
University of Maine System
http://www.maine.edu/
Women’s Business Center

Our services include free one-on-one counseling, low-cost workshops, and peer networking opportunities on such topics as Internet and websites, business management, and financing a business. Visit the Maine Women Business Owners Online Directory to find products and services sold by Maine’s women-owned businesses. If you are a women business owner in Maine, join the directory to promote your products and services on the Internet.
http://www.wbcmaine.org