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V O L . X X I X N O. X I X 26 Fact Book / Doing Business in Maine Q UA L I T Y O F L I F E E ntrepreneurs considering Maine as a place to start or grow a business are spoiled for choice when it comes to possible locations, from the bustling city of Portland on the state's southern coast to Presque Isle up north. Other options include the state capital of Augusta and nearby Waterville, re-emerging Skowhegan, the twin cities of Lewiston and Auburn and the Greater Bangor area, which one local likens to a small town where personal relationships matter. One could say the same of the whole state, with a population of 1.3 million and a large rural footprint. As a starting point for business movers and shakers deciding where to plant roots, here's an overview of what different regions have to offer. Portland Coastal coolness L O C A L R E S O U R C E S : Startup Maine, Roux Insti- tute, Maine Center for Entre- preneurs, New England Ocean Cluster, Greater Port- land Immigrant Welcome Center, Black Owned Maine COWORKING: CloudPort, ThinkTank, Pelo- ton Labs, CoworkHERS, the Third Place N E T WO R K I N G : Startup Maine meet- ups, Portland Regional Chamber of Com- merce Eggs & Issues and Kegs & Issues, Live + Work in Maine "Community Wel- come" events WHERE TO GRAB COFFEE: Bard, Cof- fee By Design, Speckled Ax LIVABILITY PLUSES: Foodie heaven, growing college town, museums, islands INSIDER'S TIP: "Utilize all the resources that Maine has to offer - from grants to founders programs to pitch competi- tions. Mainers want to see businesses — old and new — succeed," says Katie Shorey, president of Startup Maine. Her other suggestion: "The Portland entre- preneurial community loves events, and it can be the best way to meet people." Brunswick Flying high L O C A L R E S O U R C E : Midcoast Regional Devel- opment Authority, Coastal Enterprises Inc. COWORKING: TechPlace, Brunswick Land- ing's technology and manufacturing busi- ness incubator, with shared office and industrial space, a shared machine shop, composites facility and bioproduction lab NETWORKING: Bath-Brunswick Regional chamber events LIVABILITY PLUSES: Walkable down- town, Bowdoin College, Maine State Music Theatre, expansive trail system at Brunswick Landing WHERE TO GRAB A BEER: Flight Deck Brewing, located in the former Small Arms Firing Range on the redeveloped Brunswick Naval Air Station (now Brunswick Landing) INSIDER'S TIP: "At Brunswick Landing, the sky's the limit," says Jaimie Logan, director of TechPlace, Brunswick Land- ing's technology and manufacturing busi- ness incubator. "We're ready to help your company reach its goals, whether that includes launching cube satellites into space or brewing a fine Maine ale." Skowhegan Renaissance town L O C A L R E S O U R C E S : Main Street Skowhegan Economic Development Corp., Skowhegan Cham- ber of Commerce C OWO R K I N G : Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurs NETWORKING: Main Street Skowhegan and Chamber events L I VA B I L I T Y P L U S E S : Outdoor recre- ation; festivals including River Fest and Skijor Skowhegan; free outdoor activities and gear available through Main Street Skowhegan's Skowhegan Outdoors pro- gram; local food hub W H E R E T O G R A B C O F F E E : Miller's Table at Maine Grains, the Bankery & Skowhegan Fleuriste and the new Joe's Flat Iron Café INSIDER'S TIP: "Skowhegan is currently undergoing a renaissance," says Kris- tina Cannon, executive director of Main Street Skowhegan. "With more than $650 million in investment expected in the next few years, there's never been a better time to join the Skowhegan com- munity, which is full of go-getters, inno- vators and passionate individuals who value collaboration and camaraderie." Augusta & Waterville Capital connections LOCAL RESOURCES: Ken- nebec Valley Chamber of Commerce, Harold Alfond Institute for Business Inno- vation at Thomas College (Waterville), Central Maine Growth Council, Dirigo Labs, Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce COWORKING: Bricks Coworking & Inno- vation Space (Waterville) NETWORKING: Chamber events W H E R E T O G E T YO U R C H O C O L AT E FIX: Bixby Chocolate Café (Waterville) WHERE TO GET COFFEE: Wild Clover Café& Market (Waterville) LIVABILITY PLUSES: Revitalized down- towns, central location, Colby and Thomas colleges in Waterville, the new Paul J. Schupf Arts Center (Waterville), Kenne- bec River recreation INSIDER'S TIP NO. 1: Augusta's "restau- rant scene has been revitalized with places like State Lunch and Cushnoc on Water Street, plus an eclectic variety of great res- taurants in Hallowell," says Nancy Mar- shall, CEO of Marshall Communications. "Plus, the state capital draws Maine's lead- ers along with all the affiliated services. It's a great mix of rural and urban. I've had my offices there since 2001 and am glad to be headquartered there." I N S I D E R ' S T I P N O. 2 : "The spirit of collaboration and community truly sets central Maine apart as an ideal location to start a business," says Nick Rimsa, owner of Tortoise Labs. Start ME Up From Portland to Presque Isle, here's what entrepreneurs need to know about different regions of Maine B y R e n e e C o r d e s P H O T O / J I M N E U G E R P H O T O / F R E D F I E L D Katie Shorey Jaimie Logan Kristina Cannon Nancy Marshall P H O T O / F R E D F I E L D At Brunswick Landing, the sky's the limit. — Jaimie Logan TechPlace P ROV I D E D P H O T O P ROV I D E D P H O T O Nick Rimsa

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