NMDC Economic & Community Development

NMDC provides a wide range of services to both businesses and communities to stimulate economic growth and expansion. Our professional staff regularly works with representatives from member communities on a variety of planning, financial and infrastructure projects.

Business Development and Advocacy Program:
Provides local businesses with an advocate to help solve problems and seize new opportunities, from assisting through permitting processes to finding export opportunities and accessing financial resources. NMDC serves as your direct link to the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development's business development services.

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS):
A regional strategy guided by the 17 member Northern Maine Empowerment Council that represents diverse interests from across the region. The CEDS helps make the best use of existing resources by coordinating efforts and focusing on priorities, and also improves access to funding.
To view the latest version of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), click here.

Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP):
NMDC's field engineer assists manufacturers in becoming more competitive by applying manufacturing and management technologies. Learn more about MEP by clicking here.

Project Financing Assistance for Communities:
NMDC provides assistance to communities in applying for federal/state funds to fund public infrastructure, business expansion, and housing improvement projects. NMDC also contracts with communities to administer funded projects.
For more information click here.

Business Attraction & Retention - Raising awareness of Northern Maine as a viable and competitive location for business relocation and expansion through targeted trade shows and other marketing efforts in New England and Canada. Also works to help strengthen existing businesses through increased business and partnership opportunities. More information on the area demographics, labor market, infrastructure and more is available in the area profile.

Tourism - Promotion of the region as a beautiful part of Maine that offers many cultural and recreational opportunities in all four seasons. Trade show and advertising focuses on Northeast U.S. markets. More tourism information is available at the Aroostook County Tourism site, www.VisitAroostook.com.

Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC) - dedicated to helping Maine's small businesses succeed by engaging in development activities that contribute to the improvement of the economic climate for and the success of micro and small businesses throughout the State of Maine. Small business counselors provide guidance in areas such as writing business plans, marketing plans, cash flow management, and more, all free of charge.
For more information click here.