Office of Business Development

January 2024

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DECD

Community Development

The primary focus of OCD is the administration of the HUD funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program which includes regional technical assistance and training.

Business Development

Resources for starting or growing your business in Maine.

Maine Made

Through its Maine Made America’s Best program, DECD directly supports the wide variety of high-quality and unique products crafted in Maine.

Maine Office of Tourism

Charged with administering a program to support and expand the tourism industry and promote the state as a tourism destination.

Maine Film Office

Markets Maine as a production location and works with public and private sector partners to help grow the Maine film economy and build a viable path forward for Maine’s film industry.

Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation

Leverages Maine’s assets and outdoor recreation heritage to grow the outdoor recreation economy and build Maine’s outdoor recreation brand as part of a coordinated effort with partners from the public and private sectors.

Maine Technology Institute

An industry-led, publicly funded nonprofit organization whose mission is to stimulate the growth of technology-intensive companies that create quality jobs across the state.

Maine International Trade Center

DECD’s official international trade and investment office, a public-private partnership supported by the contributions of member companies and the state.

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Office of Business Development

• Tax Incentives (Pine Tree, Dirigo)
• Investment Attraction
• Site Selection (www.selectmainesites.com)
• Business Answers

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• Domestic Trade: ARPA Dollars
• Market Data – Maine demographics, national sector breakdowns, Industry Reports
• Competitive Award Program Coming Soon (GPCOG)
• Collaborations with MITC, MTI, Maine Made

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Maine’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Maine’s robust ecosystem includes:

• Training, Technical Assistance & Mentoring

• Financing & Capital

• Libraries & Chambers of Commerce

• Networking & Advocacy

• State & Regional Economic Development

• Conferences & Events

• News Sources

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These entities, and many more, work together with the goal of establishing and growing strong, vibrant businesses that will add value to the overall way of life in Maine.

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Maine Technology Institute (MTI)

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To support your business’s innovative, the Maine Technology Institute can offer up to $100,000 in grant funding and up to $500,000 in patient, low-cost debt.

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• MTI offers grants, loans, equity investments, and services to support Maine’s innovation economy. MTI focuses its investments on specific targeted sectors – Biotechnology, Composites & Advanced Materials, Environmental Technologies, Forest Products & Agriculture, Information Technology, Marine Technology & Aquaculture, and Precision Manufacturing.

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MTI has 7 Targeted Technology Sectors for investment.

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Jake Daniele

Jake.Daniele@maine.gov

Ben Sturtevant

Ben.Sturtevant@maine.gov