Key Industries

Maine is home to businesses representing a diverse set of industries, many of which are rooted in our abundant supply of natural resources. Given Maine’s ambitious and dedicated workforce and our state’s endowment of farmland, there are industry clusters the state has identified as having the highest potential for growth. These include Forest Products, Life Sciences, Marine/Aquaculture, Food/Agriculture, and Outdoor Recreation. As part of Maine’s Ten-Year Economic Development Strategy the state is investing in innovation and seeking to expand our strengths in these industries. This page contains more information about these clusters and why you should Choose Maine for Business. As always, the Office of Business Development is here to help your business, no matter the industry. Jump to: Manufacturing Forest Products Life Sciences Marine/Aquaculture Food/Agriculture Outdoor Recreation Clean Energy Manufacturing Maine is world-renowned for the quality of its manufacturing and has a diverse network of manufacturers ready to contribute to your supply chain. Approximately 1,850 Maine manufacturing businesses employ more than 56,700 Maine workers. The payroll tops $3.6 billion and accounts for 12% of wages paid statewide. The manufacturing industry in Maine contributes over $6.2 billion dollars to GDP and plays a vital role in the US and globally in military and , marine/boat and bio-plastics, studio and food and beverage manufacturing. More Information: Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership Maine Supply Chain Database of Manufacturers Manufacturers Association of Maine Maine Defense Industry Alliance Investments and  Incentives for Manufacturing  Guide (PDF) Advanced Manufacturing Center at the University of Maine University of Maine College of Engineering and Computing Forest Products Forest products have driven Maine’s economy for centuries. During the age of sail, Maine’s tall, straight Eastern White Pines were prized as masts. During the rise of paper, Maine’s forests produced the pulpwood and Maine workers produced the newsprint that would inform the nation. Today, Maine is home to the largest contiguous forest east of the Mississippi River, 90% of which is privately owned and most of which is sustainably managed. Lumber and paper mills have long anchored communities across our state, providing good-paying jobs to mill more. These mills continue to form an important part of Maine’s rural economy, but markets for wood products are changing. Maine is poised to capitalize on new markets, including mass biobased manufacturing. Innovative companies and the University of Maine are also creating new products to use sawmill byproducts and lower-quality logs. Value-added wood products represent the strategic path forward for Maine’s forest economy. As a forest products company in Maine, you will have access to a multitude of state resources, including help building relationships with industry players and finding a location for your business from the Office of Business Development . The Maine Technology Institute is investing $20 million in forest products innovation over the next two years. The University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center is on the cutting edge of research and innovation to develop and commercialize new wood products. Come build and grow with us. Maine’s forests are calling you to Choose Maine for Business. More Information: State of Maine Forest Industry Report: 2024 Economic Report Maine's Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center University of Maine School of Forest Resources FOR/Maine Maine Technology Institute