Maine's Office of Business Development - Disneyland

About Us:

If it's business information you're looking for, the OBD is at your service. There's a wealth of business knowledge right here at your fingertips – information on financing, workforce training, licensing, grants, tax incentives – almost anything related to doing business in Maine. And we've also included links to other great resources and additional detailed information.

The OBD provides comprehensive financial, management, production, marketing, and other technical assistance to help Maine businesses launch and prosper. We administer programs for business attraction, expansion, and retention to help build strong communities. And we supply the resources, technical assistance, and financial tools necessary to encourage new investment and create quality jobs for Maine workers.

The OBD is here to steer you and your business in the right direction. Together, we'll get you on the road to financial success in the great State of Maine.

Business Assistance Programs:

Maine is known for its close-knit communities and cooperative spirit. We pride ourselves on making sure that applies to businesses as well as individuals.

Maine has a wealth of business assistance programs that can meet the needs of any business, whether that business is brand new, relocating here, or an existing company hoping to expand and/or improve its operations.

Whatever help is needed, Maine's Office of Business Development specialists are ready to roll up their sleeves and work with you.

Doing Business in Maine:

From L.L. Bean's traditional sporting goods to Fairchild Semiconductor's intelligent power switches to The Jackson Laboratory's important genetics research, Maine companies are excelling. Many of the world's top businesses have chosen to call Maine home.

Beyond its quality of life, Maine offers an outstanding workforce, excellent transportation and telecommunications networks, a wealth of business assistance, support, and incentive programs, top-quality education systems, and a welcoming regulatory environment.

Maine's Office of Business Development is delighted that these and other industry leaders have chosen Maine. We're ready and willing to help you make that smart call, too.

Why Maine?

Maine's nickname – “Vacationland” – is well earned. Each year, millions of visitors are drawn to the State's rocky coast, pristine lakes, peaceful forests, and rugged mountains.

But Maine has gained another great reputation – as a vibrant place to do business. Maine has become a leading center for cutting-edge industries, including advanced technology, financial services, biotechnology, and high-tech manufacturing. Many of the world's most-respected companies – including National Semiconductor, Fairchild Semiconductor, General Dynamics, MBNA America, Pratt & Whitney, The Jackson Laboratory, L.L. Bean, and UnumProvident – are finding great success in our great State.

Why is that? It could be our exceptional quality of life or Maine's boundless beauty. Maybe it's because of our dedicated and dependable labor force or the State's cutting-edge telecommunications network. Perhaps it's Maine's customized workforce training programs or multitude of other nurturing business assistance programs.

Why Maine? The real question is: Why do business anywhere else?

Partners & Allies:

The Office of Business Development works with scores of organizations and agencies – inside and outside of State government – to promote economic development in Maine. Here are some of the OBD's many partners and allies, and links to others:

Disneyland Paris

Much more than just an amusement park , Disneyland Paris is a real tourist destination. Indeed, the complex is composed of two parks for the whole family and also of a village, to continue the magic. Beyond the attractions, Disneyland Paris is dedicated to creating themed seasons with parades and shows for the occasion. This is particularly the case for the new Pirates and Princesses season, which brings the whole family together in a good-natured battle.

The Disney parks yet offer distractions able to entertain the whole family! More or less intense attractions that adapt to the age and size of the passengers. Do you know Hyperspace Mountain ? A thrilling adventure that propels you at high speed straight into the Star Wars galaxy . On the other hand, discover It's A Small World , a cruise with a heady melody that takes you around the world. Dolls that advocate tolerance will appeal to young and old alike.
Holidays at Disneyland Paris attract people. Indeed, many visitors take advantage of the school holidays to go to the Disney destination and the great disneyland tarif. However, if the summer period seems busier than a week in school, it is not the most unaffordable. To see at a glance which periods are best, do not hesitate to consult an attendance calendar .
The park is only a few kilometers from the French capital . Why not treat yourself to a Parisian trip during your vacation at Disneyland Paris ? The opportunity to discover historic monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, the Sacré-Coeur, Notre Dame…

If you are a fan of shopping, did you know that Val d'Europe is located about fifteen minutes on foot from Disney? The opportunity to discover trendy stores and boutiques. La Vallée Village also allows you to enjoy luxury clothing at reduced prices with outlet collections. The Disneyland Paris destination is located just thirty kilometers from Paris. In addition, the Disney parks are very easy to access, whether by train, car or even by plane, you can get there very easily. A Disney shuttle system is even set up from the airport.

Maine Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)

The Maine PTAC is a cooperative program funded primarily through the Defense Logistics Agency and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). Though its statewide offices, Maine PTAC assists all types of Maine firms find and pursue government contract opportunities (federal, state, local) by providing one-on-one counseling, bid matching service, training workshops and access to military specifications and standards–all at no–charge.

Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC)

provide comprehensive business management assistance, training, resource and information services to Maine's micro, small and technology-based businesses. The Maine SBDC is a partnership program of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), the University of Southern Maine (USM) and leading economic and community development host organizations located throughout the state.

Maine & Company

is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to bringing new businesses to Maine. It provides free, confidential answers to a multitude of questions and can arrange meetings and site visits, assist with site selection, conduct real estate site searches, collect and analyze data, identify possible incentives – and more.

Maine Technology Institute (MTI)

a non-profit organization established by the Maine Legislature in 1999, provides funding to support and promote research and development by private companies and research laboratories. Another MTI priority is helping innovative Maine companies and inventors get their products to market.

Applied Technology Development Centers

serve as business incubators for each of Maine's seven targeted technology sectors: Advanced Technologies for Forestry and Agriculture; Aquaculture and Marine Technology; Biotechnology; Composite Materials Technology; Environmental Technology; Information Technology; and Precision Manufacturing Technology. These centers provide early-stage technical, business, administrative, and financial resources and training for technology-based firms with the hopes of helping these companies succeed and thrive, improving opportunities for Maine workers and providing new sources of public revenue.

Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

is part of a nationwide network of MEP centers linked through the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Maine MEP provides Maine firms access to more than 2,000 manufacturing, technical and business specialists and information on technology and industry best practices.

Maine Products Marketing Program (MPMP)

helps build recognition for hundreds of exceptional Maine-made products, their producers, and Maine's industries. More than 1,400 Maine member businesses have their products featured at MPMP's Web site: www.mainemade.com. The MPMP also assists in creating and expanding market opportunities for Maine's many producers.

Maine Quality Centers (MQC)

offer free training and education through the Community College System to qualified new and expanding businesses.

Maine International Trade Center (MITC)

is the State's leading source for global trade information. MITC offers worldwide exposure that Maine's small and medium-sized businesses need to succeed in international markets. MITC's skilled staff provides technical assistance, trade counseling, workshops and more.

Maine Apprenticeship Program

works with employers to cover the costs of customized, on-the-job training and classroom programs aimed at providing employees with professional credentials.

Councils of Governments (COGs) & Economic Development Districts (EDDs)

are local and regional economic development and planning agencies that support local governments through regional collaboration. COGs help identify and study regional challenges and opportunities.

Publications:

The Pocket Guide to Maine's Business Resources

The Office of Business Development's free Pocket Guide outlines more than 45 business-assistance programs offered by 17 state agency partners – from marketing, energy conservation, tax-incentive, and loan programs to toll-free business information hotlines – all designed to help Maine businesses grow and prosper.

Maine Business Resource Guide

A more detailed, free, comprehensive guide to the extensive resources available to Maine businesses. This guide provides specific information about the OBD's most frequently used programs, charts that summarize key components of each program and lists of organizations that offer additional business services – and much more.

Annual Highlights

An annual publication from the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).

A Guide to Doing Business in Maine

This guide answers the most-commonly-asked business questions and provides valuable step-by-step information on operating a Maine business. The guide is available for $4 and includes a free Business Start-Up Kit. To order, or for more information, please call Business Answers toll-free at 1-800-872-3838 &&40;in Maine) or 1-800-541-5872 (outside Maine).

Maine Connections Newsletter

This free, bi-monthly newsletter from the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) features articles, photos, announcements, and a calendar of events. You can request a copy via regular mail, or access Maine Connections online at www.econdevmaine.com/news_events/default.asp.

These useful publications may be requested by calling the Office of Business Development at 207.624.9804.