Maine’s location on the eastern-most point of New England is a key asset. The state is literally on top of the world’s fourth largest economy – the 500-mile corridor between Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington – home to 55 million consumers. Quebec and the Canadian Maritimes are next door, and Maine is the closest state to Europe and its markets.

In 2013, Iceland’s refrigerated container shipping line Eimskip moved its North American hub from Virginia to Portland, Maine – illustrating the state’s desirability as a location – and establishing an ever-closer link between Maine and Europe through Iceland. A new cold storage facility is scheduled to open in 2017 and will expand current capacity by 120,000 sq. ft. The facility will be another boost to the state’s growing food sector as seafood, agricultural commodities and prepared foods amounted to $557 million in exports in 2013. Complementing this economic activity is the University of Maine’s new Food Pilot Plan at the School of Food and Agriculture in Orono. The facilities are available to faculty, staff and students, as well as businesses which can access the equipment and expertise in food science, processing and safety.

The university is also working with industry at the Advanced Engineering and Composites Center where developments in the sector recently earned its director, Habib Dagher, White House recognition. Habib was the primary developer of the Bridge-in-a-Backpack, a lightweight, easily deployable structure using hollow composite tubing and concrete. Collaboration with industry expertise also includes development and testing of composite components for commercial and non-civilian use, as well as marine infrastructure where composites can be an attractive alternative to steel.

As the composites industry had its beginnings in the 400-year tradition of boat-building, the development in non-wovens emerged from Maine’s pulp, paper and textile industry. This sector has branched into highly-engineered materials in an extensive number of applications from Tex Tech Industries, the world’s largest manufacturer of tennis ball felt, to Auburn Manufacturing, a global leader in extreme temperature protection. Expertise and medical applications by companies such as Biovation, manufacturer of bio-based, non-woven healthcare and packaging products, attracted companies such as Mölnlycke Health Care of Sweden and InSphero of Switzerland.

Maine has more than 100 entities in the life sciences that research, develop and produce solutions, including Jackson Laboratory, an independent, non-profit focusing on mammalian genetics research. Chief among the state’s strengths is a comprehensive supply chain for the development and production of diagnostic technologies including membrane production, reagent provision and manufacturing. In addition, there is significant activity in the animal health area with key companies such as IDEXX supporting a unique supply chain.

Maine’s culture of innovation, industry/education collaboration and accessibility to world markets are a sample of the characteristics that contribute to its attraction to businesses. The state’s capabilities in food/agriculture, advanced materials and life sciences represent growing opportunity hubs for investment. Its remarkable natural beauty is one more incentive. We look forward to welcoming you to Maine.