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Updated: August 28, 2023 2023 Fact Book: Doing Business in Maine

City of Saco: Welcome to Saco

PHOTO Courtesy of the City of Saco Ray and Kim Smith cut the ribbon on the refreshed Camp Ellis General Store & Lobster Pound in Saco, Maine, on June 1, 2023

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, Mass. 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 CSX Corp. freight rail. Local travel options include BSOOB Transit and ride share offerings.

With the completion of the Market Analysis and Comprehensive Plan, these tools will 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 lease space in the Industrial Park, Mill Brook Business Park, and an abundance of privately-owned developable land, especially along Route 1 for prime business development opportunities.

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 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
Traffic moves along Main Street (left) and Elm Street / U.S. Route 1 (right) through 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 Boomers, Chipotle, and Jersey Mikes as new restaurants and the Aquaboggan/Saco Drive-In expansion. In addition, Maine Needhams recently moved from a home business base to occupy space in the industrial park. New businesses are not only locating and expanding in Saco, but we are also seeing a resurgence in businesses that have been closed previously, with the Camp Ellis General Store recently opening under new ownership, a historic part of the Camp Ellis revitalization.

We’re working with Hale Trucking, PODS, Pete’s RV, and Cumberland Farms for new or expanded business in our community. In addition to business development, there is also a significant increase in new housing projects. Saco has established numerous initiatives to streamline processes to help you launch or grow your business here. Bottom line — since 2019, more than $80 million has been invested in businesses 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

Tracey Desjardins, Director of Economic Development / (207) 282-3487 / tdesjardins@sacomaine.org

www.sacomaine.org

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Instagram.com/saco.maine

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