In the coming months, Maine's Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD) will provide information to Maine's job creators in columns similar to this one about the available assistance and resources available to help them retain and grow employment in their businesses and in our state.

Jaimie Logan, one of five Governor's Account Executives at the DECD whose region includes the counties of Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot and Waldo, will provide information about available financial resources and assistance.

As a Governor's Account Executive, Logan works collaboratively across state government to help resolve business-related issues and to listen intently to opportunities that may exist to make meaningful changes to Maine's economic delivery system.

She works one-on-one with businesses in an effort help them navigate the state bureaucracy and to serve as a knowledgeable and professional economic development liaison whose primary responsibility is to help businesses succeed and grow.  

Before accepting her appointment as a Governor's Account Executive, Logan served as the executive director of the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce from 1994 to 2011. During her time there she worked with a wide variety of local and regional businesses, non-profits, municipalities, and economic development organizations, as well as the Maine Office of Tourism, and state tourism industry partners.

Logan believes that building strong and trusting relationships with her clients is one of the most important and most rewarding parts of her job. She takes the time to get to know the businesses she works with and she devotes herself to their goals. Though the size of the companies and their needs may vary, they all have a common love for Maine and a strong will to succeed.

The Governor's Account Executives, as the title suggests, have a tremendous responsibility and obligation. They serve as the Governor's eyes and ears in the economic development realm and stand ready to convey information about opportunities, and ongoing business challenges and criticisms to the Governor so that improvements can more easily be made.  

The Governor's Account Executive team works in concert with the Mane Department of Labor and CareerCenters, as well as through liaisons in every state agency to help match businesses with the resources and assistance that they require. They are actively engaging businesses, trade associations, chambers of commerce, regional economic development entities, municipalities and counties to spread the word about the services DECD offers, as well as to glean information vital to policy makers.

That said, the department also has mechanisms for our team to respond to inquiries from those same constituencies through the Red Tape Hotline and the state's Business Answers program. The Red Tape Hotline, 207-624-7486, serves as the focal point for businesses to call to get assistance in licensing, permitting & regulatory issues.

The Business Answers Program at DECD, 1-800-872-3838, is designed to give businesses the help they need to succeed. Whether it is determining the legal requirements needed to start a business, or finding available state resources to help a business grow, the Business Answers program is the first place any business should call. If the answer to a question is not readily available, a Governor's Account Executive will find the answer, or put a business in touch with someone who can.

At DECD we are also recognizing and promoting those business-friendly cities and towns that are following the state of Maine's lead. Thus far, 20 municipalities have achieved certification as business-friendly and we are proud to say that list is growing as even more municipalities are currently being considered during the latest round.  

Undeniably, there are many community officials that value the importance of reducing government red tape and streamlining processes so that job creation may occur. This program recognizes those communities that are leading by example and encouraging collaborations between municipalities and businesses to spur job growth. Communities deemed business-friendly are presented with a certificate, MDOT road sign and become a key part of Maine's business attraction strategy.

As indicated, DECD and Logan will share information about available state resources and assistance in this space in the coming months. In the meantime, I encourage Maine business owners and managers in the counties of Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot and Waldo to reach out to Logan at 207-624-7485, or via email at jaimie.logan@maine.gov, if she can help with any business-related issue.  

To learn more about the Governor's Account Executives online, please visit www.maine.gov/decd/start-grow/govs-account-execs/index.shtml/.