What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm Thursday 8am - 4:30pm Friday 9am - 5pm

South Portland Economic Development

Home
United States
South Portland, ME
South Portland Economic Development

The Economic Development Dept is responsible for: business advocacy, business retention & expansion

05/31/2026

TBD Connections is starting a new chapter here in SoPo! Their goal is to create a welcoming, relationship-focused networking group where local business owners, professionals, and entrepreneurs can connect, support one another, and grow meaningful relationships. Their meetings will be hosted every Monday from 8:30AM-9:30AM at !

05/27/2026

We know everyone has heard of Sea Bags , and many of you probably even have some of their bags, but did you know all of their products are made right here in SoPo? Last week our office had the pleasure of taking a tour of the Sea Bags 35,000 square-foot manufacturing facility located at 174 Cash St. This facility is a one-stop shop for production. After washing and cutting the sails, the design team transforms the sails by adding patterns and designs. Some of them feature the vintage numbers from the original sails, while others are adorned with nautical emblems, iconic maine imagery, and even custom designs. Once the designing is done, the fabric is turned into a bag by one of the in-house stitchers. Once the bag is done it heads over to quality control to ensure the bag is ready to leave the facility and into the hands of the customer! They have a strong commitment to the local workforce, sourcing all sails from Maine first, New England second, and the U.S. third, with the iconic hand-made rope handles coming from Fall River, Mass. We are so happy to have such a sustainable and intentional manufacturing company here in SoPo! Head to their website to learn more about their sustainable practices and closed/loop supply chain.

05/19/2026

We had another successful workforce roundtable where we gathered with industry professionals from a a variety of different sectors to discuss issues and opportunities related to workforce development in our state and community. This month's meeting featured a presentation by Karen Morin from the Maine Department of Community and Economic Development on the Maine Career Exploration Program. This program helps students and young adults connect to Maine's economy by offering paid opportunities to explore career paths that are in line with their individual interests, at no cost to the employer. Additionally, we learned about the Dirigo Business Incentives Program which offers eligible businesses the opportunity to greatly reduce their state taxes for up to 5 years when they make significant capital investments or provide qualified employee training in certain business sectors. A special thank you to for hosting us in their new event space, located in the old Snow Squall, as well as providing an amazing spread of coffees, breakfast items, and pastries!

05/18/2026

Congratulations to Maine Jamaican Kitchen on successfully opening their doors at 85 Western Ave, over by Maine Mall. Their menu features authentic caribbean food such as jerk chicken and tilapia, fried plantains, and beef patty’s. They also have an amazing selection of desserts! Swing by for lunch or dinner to try some of their food and welcome them to our neighborhood!

05/15/2026

Now that Springfest 2026 is finally here, we wanted to highlight this years gracious sponsors! Through the Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth, SpringFest sponsorships support causes including addressing food security, community building, older adult projects, youth services, behavioral health, veteran needs, safe and stable housing, and community service. These services span programs such as helping to provide nutritious meals for kids, supporting students with mental health challenges, funding emergency support for homeless teens, contributing to global outreach through Rotary International, and many, many more areas and types of services. Sponsors are not just funding this event, but they are making real change possible here in our community!

Springfest starts this evening with events from 5:30pm-7pm, as well as additional activities tomorrow from 11am-3pm. Please head to spspringfest.com to learn more about the event and to see the schedule of activities.

05/14/2026

Do you have any interest in the trades? The Skills Expo is this upcoming Tuesday and it’s an amazing opportunity to explore various trades and learn from industry professionals. Head to their website to learn more and to get tickets!

05/13/2026

Our May business spotlight is Stem Coliseum! Stem Coliseum, located in the Maine Mall, is a student driven learning experience that aims to inspire young people to be creatives, innovators, and leaders in the STEM field. They provide cost-effective experiential programs that cultivate workforce readiness and encourage an entrepreneurial-minded culture. They have offerings such as Lego Robotics, 3D printer camp, Python engineering camps, and more! Head to their website to learn more about the amazing work they’re doing here in Maine!

Now accepting applicants for our revolving loan fund! For more information or to apply, contact bizsupport@southportland...

05/07/2026

Now accepting applicants for our revolving loan fund! For more information or to apply, contact [email protected]

05/05/2026

Yesterday we popped by for some lunch. The small chain, originating in Colorado, was founded by Steve and Heidi Naples in 1994 after the duo moved from Brooklyn to Denver. Today the company has 8 corporate locations and 5 franchises, 2 of which are in Maine. Their menu is extensive, with everything from smoothies and salads to bagels and sandwiches. The sandwiches were amazing, but the star of the show is their bread, which is all made from scratch daily. Their location at 415 Philbrook Ave makes it an ideal spot for a lunch break while running errands, shopping, and working. Swing by this week, or place an order online for pickup! 🥪🥗

05/04/2026

Business After Hours is on the road again! 🚗✨
This time, we’re heading to South Portland!

Join the South Portland - Cape Elizabeth Community Chamber for an unforgettable evening at The Axe Pit .

📅 Tuesday, May 19
⏰ 4:30 – 6:30 PM
📍 333 Clarks Pond Pkwy, South Portland

Whether you’re trying axe throwing for the first time or simply enjoying great company and craft cocktails, this is the perfect setting to relax, build connections, and create a few memorable moments along the way.

The Axe Pit offers a fun, high-energy experience in a welcoming environment—perfect for both first-timers and seasoned throwers!

⚠️ Space is limited—registration is required and will close once capacity is reached.

🎟️ Register here:
https://www.portlandregion.com/after.html

A big thank you to our season sponsor, Empeople Credit Union , for making events like this possible!

Don’t miss this fun opportunity—we can’t wait to see you there!

Address

829 Sawyer Street
South Portland, ME
04106

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

https://www.southportland.gov/departments/economic-and-community-development/, https://conta.cc/4bXAFkg

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when South Portland Economic Development posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Address
Opening Hours
Alerts
Contact The Organization
Claim ownership or report listing

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in South Portland?