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Sponsored by: City of Saco
Updated: August 1, 2022 2022 Fact Book: Doing Business in Maine

City of Saco

PHOTO Courtesy of the City of Saco Saco City Officials join the ConvenientMD team as they cut the ribbon on their location at 506 Main St. in Saco, Maine, on Dec. 19, 2019.

Welcome to Saco

Saco is an extraordinary place to build a business, raise a family, enjoy nature, and realize your dreams, which is evident in the number of businesses that have found success here. Whether you’re establishing a new business, fostering the growth and expansion of your current business, or helping an existing business thrive – Saco has the land, space, and tools to help you on your journey to success.

Saco is ideally located at the mouth of the Saco River in southern Maine along the Atlantic Ocean – less than 20 minutes south of Downtown Portland and less than two hours north of Boston, Massachusetts. Saco is a best-in-class community featuring a picturesque and vibrant downtown, a revitalized and repurposed Mill District, and a thriving economy.

Saco is friendly by nature, offering a wide range of programs and initiatives that make it business, family, age, and recreation friendly.

A Community of Opportunity

Known as a business-friendly community offering financial incentives as well as the opportunity for the highest quality of life for employees, Saco’s workability and livability is possible thanks to its proximity to Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1, and its destination stop along the Amtrak Downeaster passenger rail and the Pan Am freight rail. Local travel options include BSOOB Transit and ride share offerings.

We recently completed a Market Analysis in 2021 to help guide our continued growth focused on business attraction and recruitment, business retention and expansion, strategic mixed-use development, and riverfront vitalization. Available commercial space includes the revitalized mills on Saco Island, limited lots in the Mill Brook Business Park, and an abundance of privately-owned developable land, especially along Route 1.

Saco has the only Federal Opportunity Zone in York County – a great benefit for businesses seeking new locations; and is also located in one of Maine’s Pine Tree Development Zones. In addition, the city’s 10 successful Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts are designed to optimize available land and opportunities for Credit Enhancement Agreements (CEAs). The city also recently completed a comprehensive Zoning Ordinance update to improve the efficiency of the development process by reviewing conditional and permitted uses, and reducing the number of zoning districts, to enhance navigation through the review, permitting, and approval process.

PHOTO Courtesy of the City of Saco
An aerial view of Main and Elm Streets running south through historic downtown Saco, Maine, on May 16, 2020.

 

Join the Momentum

Due to Saco’s land availability, financial toolkit, and city staff responsiveness, more businesses are flocking to Saco. The city has welcomed Ready Seafood, Hancock Lumber, Precision Manufacturing, Convenient MD, Ashley Lauren Designs, Allegiance Trucks, and other businesses to locations throughout Saco. The city developed CEAs with Ready Seafood and Precision Manufacturing to aid in their development journey.

We’re currently working with Hale Trucking, Aquaboggan/Saco Drive-In, Chipotle, and Cumberland Farms for new or expanded business in our community. Saco has established numerous initiatives to streamline processes that will help you establish or grow your business here and has seen success in business expansion and retention with Maine Molecular, PM Construction, Biddeford Saco Dental, Dock & Door, and Apple Cinemas.

Bottom line – since 2018, more than $80 million has been invested in business in Saco, attracting more than 500 employees. We’re ready to have you join us to make our community even more vibrant.

Experience A High-Quality of Life

Saco is family-friendly with its strong public-school system for pre-K through 8, and Thornton Academy middle and high school. Saco residents attend Thornton Academy High School, a world-class private school, which also attracts boarding students from around the globe.

Saco’s focus on recreational programming for community members of all ages contributes to a high quality of life. Saco offers vast recreational opportunities (check them out at www.sacomaine.org/explore), with beautiful beaches, a picturesque and walkable downtown, and fun community events.

Experience the momentum in Saco – a city of energy, imagination, and innovation!

To learn more about our business-friendly incentives, please visit our website at www.sacomaine.org or contact our talented team by phone or email.

City of Saco

Saco City Hall, 300 Main St. Saco, ME 04072

Denise Clavette, Director of Economic Development
(207) 282-3487
dclavette@sacomaine.org

www.sacomaine.org