Maine Business rankings released by Forbes Magazine

Posted on July 14, 2007
Filed Under General Maine Real Estate, Maine investment real estate, Maine real estate news, Maine real estate development | Leave a Comment

The verdict is in once again, 48th out of 50 on best places to do business. Well at  least it can’t get much worse.  The only states outranking us were Louisiana and West Virgina.  Coming as no big surprise since as 2 years prior we tallied a 46th ranking in the same pole.  Broken down into 5 categories, the one area we did rank in the 25, a 16th in quality of life, so just because nobody wants to do move their business here, plenty still want to relocate and retire in Maine.  We ranked 27th on labor (educational attainment, net migration and projected population growth), 30th in economic climate (current job, income and gross state product growth, unemployment and the presence of large employers), 42nd in growth prospects (projected job,…income and GSP growth, business openings and closings, and venture capital investment), 43rd on business costs (labor, energy and taxes) and  we bottom out at 46th on regulatory environment (regulatory and tort climate, incentives, transportation and bond ratings) 

Oh well, the Maine Lobster will have its day.. Read the complete story here

The Portland Maine Whole Foods Real Estate Boost

Posted on May 24, 2007
Filed Under General Maine Real Estate, Maine investment real estate, Maine real estate development | Leave a Comment

Trying to think what interests people and having just done a bike tour searching out multi units in and around the East End of Portland, the love of food coupled with the desire for lucrative investments in Maine real estate  I thought perhaps a brief commentary on how I feel the local region surround the behemouth will fare over the coming years was a good subject for conversation. Driving down 295 one can’t help but notice the beacon of development Whole Foods represents.  Coupled with the newer Planet fitness next door, the Back Cove a stones throw away and the push of the city to redevelop the bayside area, the real estate, although a little rough around the edges has great potential I believe.   The brick warehouses on Kennebec streed I envision as loft condos, the single family and duplexes on streets such as Alder, Oxford, Chestnut, Hanover and Elm to name a few, shall be bought, renovated and brought back to their original splendor and  the removal and infill of the local junk yards and city of Portland public works buildings will bring larger mixed used retail, commercial and residential proprety. The area is ripe for improvement,  keep an eye on it. 

Maine legislative opposition to “Big Box” operations

Posted on May 11, 2007
Filed Under General Maine Real Estate, Maine real estate news, Maine real estate development | Leave a Comment

On Monday the Maine real estate development recieved a blow when the State and Local Government Committee voted 9-2 to support legislation knowns as The Informed Growth Act requiring developerer to spend as much as $40,000 on a study if building plans call for a store larger than 75,000 square feet. Developers also would have to pay for a public hearing and municipal staff time spent on the study.
The two sides:  Supporters argue that sprawl created by large stores hurts downtowns, the quality of life in Maine and small businesses.
Opponents argue it is another signal to business that Maine is not a friendly state believing that cities and towns should create their own ordinances if they want to control growth, and that 75,000 square feet is not a large retailer by today’s standards.
You be the judge…
Read more recent Maine Real Estate News Here