ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONCERNS

Groups working to increase economic opportunities or addressing concerns about injustice in the economic system.

Alliance for Democracy
93 Easy St.
Farmingdale, ME 04344
623-1210, 874-7941
Leah Zuch, Richard Lewis
We are working to reduce corporate power and influence in Maine.  Affiliated with the national Alliance for Democracy.

Bangor Area Citizens Organized for Responsible Development (BACORD)
43 Columbia St. #32
Bangor, ME 04401
947-0607
valerie_carter@umit.maine.edu
Valerie Carter
Organized to promote responsible development with immediate goal of preventing "big box" development such as a proposed Wal-Mart expansion.  Encourages involvement in land use and open space development in Bangor and surrounding communities.  Supports goals of environmental protection, smart growth, labor-friendly development, and local socially responsible business.

Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI)
36 Water St., PO Box 268
Wiscasset, ME 04578
882-7552  Fax: 882-7308
www.ceimaine.org
We are a private, nonprofit community development corporation founded to create social and economic opportunities for all people, businesses and communities of Maine. CEI provides financing and technical assistance in development of small businesses, community facilities and affordable housing. CEI raises capital from public agencies and private foundation sources to finance projects, provide technical assistance, and conduct market research and policy development. Portland office noted below; contact for other office locations:

Portland Fish Pier #201
Portland, ME 04101
772-5356  Fax 772-5503
ccs@ceimaine.org
www.ceimaine.org

Common Good Ventures--See Financial and Foundations

Common $en$e
326-9394
marge@downeast.net
A study/discussion/action group on issues of the Federal Reserve, Local and Gift economies, and Local Exchange Trading Systems (LETS).

Cooperative Fund of New England
PO Box 175
So. Freeport, ME 04078
865-3696
phebe@cooperativefund.org
www.cooperativefund.org
Phebe Quattrucci, outreach specialist
CFNE provides technical assistance and loans to cooperatives (including land trusts, CSAs, and co-housing projects), worker owned businesses, and community based nonprofits serving low income people or cooperatives.

Cooperatives--see Food and Agriculture

Family Development Account Coalition
46 University Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
800-442-2092 Fax 621-3429
heidil@maine.edu
Heidi Loughlin, Eloise Vitelli
We provide opportunities for asset-building for income-eligible participants through creating special savings accounts.

Indivisible Inc.
PO Box 657
Orono, ME 04473
947-4117 
mejane@gwi.net
We link groups and individuals to educational, organizational, technical, business, and other development resources for the growth of a cooperative, grassroots economy where people and the planet come before power and profits.  Also a Maine associate of the Cooperative Development Institute, a regional co-op development center headquartered in Greenfield, Massachusetts.

Island Fishermen's Wives Association
PO Box 293
Stonington, ME 04681
367-5959 
Sue Oliver
Supports the fishing community in many ways: school programs and scholarships, emergency financial assistance to fishing people and their families; ongoing commitment to preserve the fishing heritage and educating the public about the industry; survival and safety education with help from the US Coast Guard.

Maine Businesses for Social Responsibility (MEBSR)
PO Box 157
Belfast, ME 04915
338-8908 Fax: 338-8909
info@mebsr.org
www.mebsr.org
Sanna McKim
A business association of 350+ members, working to educate members on how to better meet their goals for improving their own business practices and finding solutions to social, environmental, and economic problems.  Sponsors monthly breakfast programs around the state, annual conference, annual leadership forum, ethics certificate program, and quarterly newsletter.

Maine Center for Economic Policy
PO Box 437
Augusta, ME 04332
622-7381  Fax 622-0239
mecep@mecep.org
www.mecep.org
Christopher St John
Dedicated to promoting a sustainable and equitable economy through analyzing and identifying solutions for Maine's economic and fiscal challenges.  Publications and presentations available on liveable wages and income security, health care access, tax equity, and sustainable development.  Nonprofit, non-partisan state policy research organization established in 1994.

Maine Fisherman's Wives Association
307 Cundy's Harbor Road
Harpswell, ME 04079
729-5739  Fax: 729-0194
Yvette Alexander
We are wives that advocate for the seafood industry, providing educational programs for schools and communities, and hold a seat on the Maine Fisherman's Forum Board.  Started in 1977 as a result of fishing regulations that we wanted to address.

Maine Fair Trade Campaign--see International

Maine Global Action Network--see International

Maine Homestead & Community Self Reliance Skills Training Network
PO Box 177
Brooks, ME 04921
722-3654
baldwin@acadia.net
A network and learning center for people who want to live more simply, more locally and better. Workshop topics include windmill construction, solar ovens, composting, foraging, and more.

Maine Small Business Alliance
PO Box 188
Portland, ME 04112
879-9900, 780-0346
info@msb-alliance.org
http://www.msb-alliance.org
MSBA's mission is to have workplaces with healthy and productive workers, affordable health care for business owners and employees, and reasonable health, safety, and environmental standards for workplaces. It is a liaison between government and the small business community.

Maine Sustainable Development Working Group
c/o CEI, 7 North Chestnut St.
Augusta, ME 04330
621-0245 Ext. 4   Fax: 622-9739
tms@ceimaine.org
Theresa Savoy
We promote a vision of Sustainable Development for Maine, articulate specific policies that move our state toward that vision, and are building a coalition so that these policies are supported and adopted.

Maine Time Dollar Network--see Community Development

PeopleFirst! Maine
bonniepreston@earthlink.net
http://www.peoplefirstmaine.net
PeopleFirst! wants to reclaim the peoples' sovereignty from the major corporations which now dominate our country and state.

Program on Corporations, Law and Democracy
449 Maple St.
North Berwick, ME 03906
676-3356  Fax: 676-3356
pkellman@cybertours.com
www.poclad.org
Peter Kellman
Our purpose is to organize a debate within the body politic over the question: "Can we have a democracy if the power to determine the direction of our economy, culture, and the governing of our communities, state and nation is directed by a wealthy class of people hiding behind the legally protected facade of transnational corporations?"

Rainbow Business and Professional Association--see Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning

Resource Hub
441 Congress St.
Portland, ME 04101
756-8180 
www.resourcehub.org
A collaborative economic development initiative whose mission is to support and cultivate the growth of the Greater Portland business community by providing a "one-stop" location for business assistance and educational services.  City of Portland Economic Development Center.

Single Global Currency Association
PO Box 390
Newcastle, ME 04553
586-6078
morrison@singleglobalcurrency.org
www.singleglobalcurrency.org
Promoting implementation of a single global currency, with an international central bank, by 2025.

Small Business Development Centers in Maine
PO Box 9300, 96 Falmouth St.
Portland, ME 04104
780-4420 
msbdc@usm.maine.edu
www.mainesbdc.org
SBDCenters offer no-cost, one-on-one counseling to small business owners and entrepreneurs through a statewide network of subcenters and satellite offices.  Training seminars, workshops, and conferences focusing on small businesses offered statewide. Fees may be charged for training events. Local Centers listed below:

Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments
125 Manley Road
Auburn, ME 04210
783-9186  Fax 783-5211

Coastal Economic Development Corporation
34 Wing Farm Parkway
Bath, ME 04530
442-7963

Coastal Enterprises at Kennebec Valley COG
17 Main St.
Fairfield, ME 04937
453-4258  Fax 453-4264

Eastern Maine Development Corporation
40 Harlow St.
Bangor, ME 04401
942-6389, 800-339-6389 Fax 942-3548
info@emdc.org
http://www.emdc.org

Northern Maine Development Commission
PO Box 779
Caribou, ME 04736
498-8736, 800-427-8736  Fax 493-3108

Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission
21 Bradeen St. #400
Springvale, ME 04083
324-2952  Fax 324-2958

Sustainable Maine
c/o MECEP, PO Box 437
Augusta, ME 04332
622-7381  Fax 622-0239
lpohlmann@mecep.org
Grassroots effort to create an economy which recognizes environmental and resource limitations and, therefore, becomes sustainable for a long time period.  Offers their publication: Sustainable Maine Primer.

Women's Business Center at CEI--see Women