Economic Development Districts of Maine Dedicated to helping Maine’s small businesses succeed, the councils provide one on one business counseling, assistance with business plans, cash flow projections, market analysis, and more. Contact the council of government in your area:

Finance authority of Maine
FAME is an independent state agency that develops and administers programs related to the financing of both higher education and business in the State of Maine. Its primary goal is to provide targeted financing tools, information and solutions that enable Maine citizens to take advantage of opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable.

Food Export USA Northeast
A non-profit organization that promotes the export of food and agricultural products from the northeast region of the United States. The organization has been helping exporters of northeast food and agricultural products sell their products overseas since 1973.

Maine Business Works
MBW is an on-line business development resource that provides access to the comprehensive array of economic development resources available throughout the State of Maine. MBW was developed through a partnership of agencies: Maine’s Economic Development Districts, Maine Small Business Development Centers, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, and Central Maine Power.

Maine Department of Agriculture Food and Rural Resources
The web site provides a comprehensive listing of sources for all Maine food and farm products offered at wholesale, as well as resources and contacts for marketing and business development.

Maine International Trade Center
A not-for-profit corporation chartered by Maine statute, whose mission is to expand Maine’s economy through increased international trade in goods and services, and related activities. MITC assists Maine people seeking international business research on potential partners, market opportunities, shipping documentation, product labeling, customs regulations, etc.

Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership
The Maine MEP is part of a nationwide network of more than 70 not-for-profit centers whose sole purpose is to provide small and medium-sized businesses with the help and solutions they need to succeed. There are Centers in all 50 states, linked together through the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology. This makes it possible for even the smallest firms in Maine to have access to more than 2,000 manufacturing and business specialists - including the staff of the Maine MEP and their specialized knowledge about doing business in Maine.

Maine Products Marketing Program, Department of Economic and Community Developmen
The MPMP provides technical marketing assistance to small Maine manufacturers. Elements of the program include the Maine Made web site, kiosk display opportunities, and product source identification materials with the very recognizable logo “Maine Made - America’s Best”. Maine products are positioned in national markets through trade show participation, such as the New England Products Trade Show (NEPTS).

Maine Small Business Development Center
The Maine SBDC provides comprehensive business management assistance, training and information services to Maine’s micro and small business community. The focus of the Maine SBDC is to assist in the creation and maintenance of viable micro and small businesses and the jobs these businesses provide. Maine SBDC is a partnership program of the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in association with the SBA/SBDC, the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), the University of Southern Maine (USM), and leading economic and/or community development hosting organizations.

The Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship (NECFE)
The Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship (NECFE) is a joint effort to expand activities of the Food Venture Center at Cornell University and the Center for Food Science at the University of Vermont, and is funded in part by the Fund for Rural America/CSREES/USDA. The NECFE provides comprehensive assistance to beginning and established food entrepreneurs, thus promoting sustainable economic development in rural communities. The Center offers services, outreach and research development opportunities in four critical areas: business and product process development, product safety, process/product technology transfer and product commercialization. Contact information for the NECFE at the University of Vermont is (802) 656-8300.