Business Recruitment/Retention
Main Street Resource Cafe
Documents - Business Recruitment
- Ten Realistic Retail Development Themes [PDF 181KB] Short article on ten types of businesses that should be targets for downtown.
- Downtown Business Recruitment Guide [PDF 2.7MB] A very thorough 117-page, indexed guide on business recruitment.
- A Guide to Starting Your Business in Biddeford [PDF 95KB] Heart of Biddeford Business Recruitment brochure.
- Nail, Hair and Skin Salons: Bane or Boon? [PDF 49KB]
Short article about the difficult decision on whether or not to allow salons downtown. - 2011 Trends Driving Rural Small Businesses
A close look at what to expect for rural businesses in 2011.
Documents - Business Retention
- Pocket Guide to Maine’s Business Resources [PDF 249KB]
Outlines more than 45 business-assistance programs offered by 17 state agency partners – from marketing, energy-conservation, tax-incentive, and loan programs to toll-free business information hotlines – all designed to help Maine businesses grow and prosper. - 2011 Customer Service Trends
11 Customer Service Trends to Watch in 2011 - Long-term Business Leadership Is Key to Downtown’s Success [PDF 185KB]
Article about the importance of a thriving downtown business organization. - Don’t Fall Prey to the Big-box Swindle [PDF 117KB]
Q&A on allowing big-box stores into the downtown and how to keep independent retailers viable.
Additional External Links
- Innovative Downtown Businesses Enterprises from across the country that are bringing people back downtown.
- Maine Office of Business Development Tools, resources and free technical assistance for small businesses.
- Maine Small Business Administration Programs and services to help you start, grow and succeed .
- Maine State Chamber of Commerce
