Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1525485
E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 38 E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N Discover the Ideal Place to Build Your Business and Your Life Saco is an extraordinary place to build a business, raise a family, enjoy nature and realize your dreams. Our community's suc- cess speaks volumes, with numerous companies thriving here. Saco is ideal for establishing a new venture, expanding a cur- rent business or helping an existing one flourish with the land, space and resources you need for success. Strategic Location & Abundant Opportunities Situated at the mouth of the Saco River in southern Maine along the Atlantic Ocean, Saco is less than 20 minutes south of Downtown Portland and less than two hours north of Boston. Our city boasts a picturesque and vibrant downtown, a revital- ized Mill District and a booming economy. Saco offers both financial incentives for businesses as well as an exceptional quality of life for employees. Its accessibility is unrivaled, with proximity to Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1 and a key stop along the Amtrak Downeaster and CSX Corp. freight rail. Local travel options include BSOOB Transit and various ride-share services. Saco is forward-thinking, uti- lizing studies and master plans to guide business attraction, retention and expansion. Our commercial spaces include revitalized mills on Saco Island, a historical downtown, lease spaces in the Industrial Park and Mill Brook Business Park, and abundant developable land along U.S. Route 1. Saco boasts the only Federal Opportunity Zone in York County and is part of Maine's Pine Tree Development Zones. O ur Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts optimize land use and provide opportunities for credit enhancement agreements (CEAs). A comprehensive Zoning Ordinance update has streamlined the permitting and development process, enhanc- ing efficiency and ease. Saco recently broke ground on a state-of-the-art water resource recovery facility for wastewater treatment and the new Exit 35 and 36 interchange project (slated to open the Fall of 2025 to improve traffic connections to and from the turnpike) are examples of the millions of dollars being invested for the growth opportunity in Saco. Join the Momentum With our robust financial toolkit and responsive city staff, Saco continues to attract businesses. e Route 1 Corridor and down- town area are experiencing significant growth in both housing and businesses, which makes it ideal for a thriving community. We're ready to help you establish or grow your business here, making our community even more vibrant. Experience A High-Quality of Life Saco offers a premier public school system and enrollment in the prestigious ornton Academy as its high school. ornton Academy is renowned for its flexible and comprehensive aca- demic program, attracting day students from across the state and international students through its boarding program. Recently, Saco voters approved a plan to build two new schools for pre-K through fifth-grade students, consolidating the current four schools onto a single campus. is significant investment will ensure that Saco is well positioned to serve the needs of our families for generations to come. Beyond the classroom, our recreational programs and beautiful natural surroundings, including beaches and a walkable down- town, contribute to a high quality of life. Explore the numerous recreational opportunities at www.sacomaine.org/explore. A city that balances history and innovation, relaxation and vibrancy, and offers a wealth of tools and resources for your business awaits you. To learn more about our business-friendly incentives, visit www.sacomaine.org or contact our dedicated team at economicdevelopment@sacomaine.org. l Right: The sun rises over Saco Bay and fishing boats moored at the mouth of the Saco River in the Camp Ellis neighborhood of Saco, Maine, on Aug. 11, 2023. Below: Malaika Picard, owner of Maine Needham Company, gives a tour of their production facility located in the Industrial Park in Saco, Maine, on June 29, 2023. The Needham is a quintessential Maine candy consisting of a coconut and potato filling covered in dark chocolate. P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F T H E C I T Y O F S A C O P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F T H E C I T Y O F S A C O Saco Friendly by Nature City of Saco Saco City Hall, 300 Main St. Saco, ME 04072 Tracey Desjardins, Director of Economic Development / (207) 710-5009 / tdesjardins@sacomaine.org www.sacomaine.org Facebook.com/sacomaine Instagram.com/saco.maine Twitter.com/sacomaine Youtube.com/cityofsacoTV