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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 11 FA C T BO O K / D O I N G B U S I N E S S I N M A I N E Q UA L I T Y O F L I F E people, therefore more investment and opportunity," says Emery. Near the Bangor Mall, there's a new TownePlace Suites, an extended- stay hotel, as well as Chipotle and Vitamin Shoppe. Downtown, new places include Evenrood's restaurant, e Juice Cellar and Sea of Cotton. Ellsworth Ellsworth is the heart of Downeast Maine, providing professional, rec- reational, cultural and retail services for nearly 60,000 people in Hancock and Washington counties. It's a hub, as reflected by the city's slogan, "Business, Leisure, Life." Ellsworth is the fastest-growing city in Maine. "Ellsworth is strategically located between the greater Bangor metro area and the Maine coast, particularly the Acadia National Park-Bar Harbor area," says interim City Manager David Cole. "It's also the gateway to the Downeast region." As such, he says, a University of Maine trade analysis showed Ellsworth's "pull factor" to be the high- est among all Maine cities of similar size, with one of the highest per-capita retail sales figures in the state. Ellsworth's rapid growth has spurred economic development planning to at- tract and retain businesses, particularly those in the biotech, medical, financial, food and tourism sectors, says Economic Development Director Micki Sumpter. Ellsworth is working closely with Bar Harbor-based Jackson Laboratory as it plans an a biotech production facility, which is expected to bring 33 new jobs during the pilot phase and up to 365 jobs over 10 years. Ellsworth offers competitive tax incentives, "shovel-ready" pre-permit- ted land with public infrastructure in place, and assistance with grant and low-interest loan packages. In the past year, Tim Hortons and Fuddruckers have each opened sites in Ellsworth. Biddeford/Saco On Maine's southern coast, twin cities Biddeford and Saco are the site of one of the earliest European settlements in the United States. Biddeford is the sixth-largest city in the state and one of Maine's fastest-growing commercial centers. Major institutions like Southern Maine Health Care and the University of New England are significant magnets of employment, and Biddeford's Mill District has become an incubator of new enterprise and innovation. A turning point for the city was the purchase and dismantling of Maine Energy Recovery Co.'s mu- nicipal waste incinerator, which was located at the edge of the downtown. "A feasibility study is now under- way to determine the best new uses of the site," says economic development analyst Brad Favreau. "But whatever that new use may be, the removal of the facility has created burgeoning interest by developers and businesses." Atlantic Holding LLC is investing $50 million to develop a mixed-use complex, including residences and a boutique hotel. Across the Saco River, Saco re- tains its small-city character with a traditional downtown shopping area, which encompasses Main Street and Pepperell Square, and the Mill Brook Business Park. Saco and Biddeford have a number of revitalization initia- tives in place, as well as public ameni- ties like the RiverWalk. L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r , a w r i t e r b a s e d i n B a s s H a r b o r, c a n b e r e a c h e d a t e d i t o r i a l @ m a i n e b i z . b i z Online banking with mobile check deposit Smart Business Checking Growing businesses need more than a checkbook and a smile. They need real. Real honesty, real products, and real people with smart ideas who are willing to get out from behind the desk and make things happen for you. At least that's what we think at Gorham Savings Bank. We call it a breath of fresh banking. Spend more time at your business than ours — genius. " My bank doesn't waste my time." * No transaction fees for up to 450 paid or deposited items per statement cycle (additional items $.35 each). Member FDIC. No transaction fees on up to 450 items per cycle* Your personal banker to help along the way No monthly maintenance service charge gorhamsavingsbank.com Seraphina Erhart and her dad, Shep Erhart, co-founder of Maine Coast Sea Vegetables. The company, which sells sea vegetable products through Whole Foods, Amazon, small chains, independent health food stores and its website, recently moved into a new expanded plant. Art Timofejev, left, and Tadas Mikuzis, owners of Artas Designs. Since 2010, when the Biddeford firm began making furniture from reclaimed materials, it's become a go-to designer for retailers and restaurateurs aspiring to create a rustic, iconic New England aesthetic. P H O T O / L A U R I E S C H R E I B E R P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY

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