Promote:
Invest in Maine
A short guide for companies expanding into Maine: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Maine at a glance
PopulationEstimate
1.41 million
Maine had 1,414,874 people as of July 1, 2025.
Source: Census Bureau, state population estimates, July 1, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$101.7 billion
Maine's GDP was US$101,726.2 million in 2025, in current dollars.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per personEstimate
US$71,898
GDP per person was US$71,897.7 in 2025, in current dollars, computed from BEA's GDP and the Census Bureau's population estimate.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growth
1.4%
Real GDP grew 1.4 percent in 2025, as BEA publishes it.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Currency and inflation: see the United States at a glance
2. Before you set up
The body that handles foreign investment, any one-stop route, Maine’s limits on foreign ownership, the zones and other rules for investors, as the guide found them.
The Maine International Trade Center is the state economic development organization that SelectUSA lists for Maine.
Source: ITA SelectUSA, state economic development organizations (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
DECD's Business Answers service lists Maine licensing and permit information, but no single portal for registration and tax together was found.
Source: Maine DECD budget testimony, February 5, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 5, 2025
Maine statutes searched for foreign adversary, foreign government, alien, foreign-owned, agricultural land and AFIDA show no limit on foreign ownership; Title 33, section 451 lets aliens hold real estate.
Source: Maine Statutes, Title 33 section 451, rights of aliens (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The Foreign-Trade Zones Board's 2024 annual report lists 3 foreign-trade zones in Maine.
Source: FTZ Board, 2024 annual report, Appendix D (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Show 2 more
A bidder for a Maine state contract must certify it is not a foreign adversary business entity, or face a fine of twice the contract or US$250,000.
Source: Maine Statutes, Title 5 section 2030-A, certification (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
A corporation or partnership holding Maine agricultural land must report it each year to the agriculture commissioner; a copy of its federal AFIDA report can serve.
Source: Maine Statutes, Title 7 section 33, farmland report (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Investment rules across the United States: see Invest in the United States
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Maine
- Register a foreign corporation with the Secretary of State to transact business in Maine.Maine Secretary of StateOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Maine Statutes, Title 13-C chapter 15, foreign corporations (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Register with the Maine Revenue Services assessor to collect and remit sales tax.Maine Revenue ServicesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Maine Statutes, Title 36 section 1754-B, seller registration (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Set up unemployment insurance contributions with the Maine Department of Labor.Maine Department of LaborStandard rate 5.4 percent of wagesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Maine Statutes, Title 26 section 1221, unemployment contributions (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Ask DECD's Office of Business Development about state licensing and permit requirements through its Business Answers service.Maine Department of Economic and Community DevelopmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Maine DECD budget testimony, February 5, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 5, 2025
Show 1 more set-up step
- Ask DECD whether your business can apply for certification under the Dirigo business incentives program.Maine Department of Economic and Community DevelopmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Maine Statutes, Title 36 section 5219-AAA, Dirigo program (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Steps that apply across the United States: see Invest in the United States
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with DECD. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
- The guide lists every Maine body found with evidence dated 2025 or later; bodies without it have no card. Source (opens in a new tab)
Investment and business setup
- Get advice
State economic development agency
DECD
Maine Department of Economic and Community Development
Runs the Office of Business Development, which advises on business assistance programs and tax incentives and runs Business Answers, a licensing and permitting information service.
Visit DECD (opens in a new tab)Source: Maine DECD budget testimony, February 5, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 5, 2025
State business finance authority
FAME
Finance Authority of Maine
Offers Maine businesses direct loans, agricultural loans, bond programs and the Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit Program through its business financing programs.
Visit FAME (opens in a new tab)Source: FAME, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more organization
Innovation funding nonprofit
MTI
Maine Technology Institute
Provides grants, loans, equity investments and services to businesses, organizations and entrepreneurs in Maine's innovation economy.
Visit MTI (opens in a new tab)Source: Maine Technology Institute, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
MRS
Maine Revenue Services
Administers Maine's sales and use tax, and its Office of Tax Policy forecasts the revenue from it.
Visit MRS (opens in a new tab)Source: Maine Revenue Services, revenue forecast, December 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 24, 2025
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
State manufacturers association
MAME
Manufacturers Association of Maine
Represents Maine manufacturers before the legislature and offers business development support, networking and a member directory.
Visit MAME (opens in a new tab)Source: Manufacturers Association of Maine, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
State chamber of commerce
Maine State Chamber
Maine State Chamber of Commerce
Advocates for Maine businesses on state policy, with legislative updates, policy committees and events.
Visit Maine State Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Maine State Chamber of Commerce, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
5. Worth knowing
State contracts and farmland reporting
Bidders for state contracts must certify they are not foreign adversary business entities, and corporations holding farmland must report it each year.
What to do: Check your ownership structure against Title 5, chapter 164 before you bid, and file the farmland report if you buy agricultural land.
Sources: Maine Statutes, Title 5 section 2030-A, certification (opens in a new tab); Maine Statutes, Title 7 section 33, farmland report (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Sales tax on services
A 2025 law repeals Maine's service provider tax and moves those services to the sales and use tax from January 1, 2026.
What to do: Confirm with Maine Revenue Services whether your services are taxable before you price.
Sources: Maine Revenue Services, revenue forecast, December 2025 (opens in a new tab); Maine fiscal office, Compendium of State Fiscal Information, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 24, 2025
Business income tax
Maine's corporate income tax rises in steps from 3.5 to 8.93 percent, and the Dirigo program certifies businesses in five eligible sectors.
What to do: Confirm your tax with Maine Revenue Services and Dirigo eligibility with DECD before you cost a project.
Sources: Maine Statutes, Title 36 section 5200, corporate income tax (opens in a new tab); Maine Statutes, Title 36 section 5219-AAA, Dirigo program (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Across the United States: see Worth knowing in Invest in the United States
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare the United States with other countriesSet the United States beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Maine project.
Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.
Promote:Maine is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of November 3, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.