Business Assistance
Franklin County has numerous resources available for persons who would like to start a new business here, or for an established company wishing to move its operations closer to our part of heaven.
Below is a list some of the organizations in the area that are available to new and existing businesses. Please contact us if you need more information about these services.
The Greater Franklin Development Corporation (GFDC) can match a building or property to an individual client's needs. This organization is committed to improving our communities' economic vitality and working to make sure the needs of individual clients can be met.
For more information, contact Alison Hagerstrom, the president and chief executive officer of the Greater Franklin Development Corporation, at 778-5887.Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (AVCOG) has access to a full range of business financing opportunities, including grants and loans, job training resources, business counseling services and other assistance. For example, we have relationships with small business service providers to help you get setup for processing credit cards. Counselors provide free counseling for people wishing to set up their own small business, or companies planning to hire hundreds of employees. For more information, you can contact AVCOG by calling 783-9186.
In addition, the State's Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has partnered with AVCOG by providing two outreach positions in Western Maine. The two business development specialists filling those positions maintain offices at AVCOG in Auburn and in downtown Farmington. The two specialists work directly with businesses by providing information on available resources. Over the course of the year, the specialists have worked extensively with over 300 businesses on both a proactive and an active ongoing basis. To contact the specialist covering Franklin County, call Sarah Doscinski in her Farmington office at 778-0863 or email her at avcogbd@megalink.net.
The Wilton Economic Development Corporation will work with anyone wishing to locate in the area. For more information call 645-4963.
The Workforce Development Center in Wilton is one of Maine's Comprehensive Career Centers where you can place your company's job listings online and provide tailor-made training opportunities. Job seekers can access the opportunities listed on the computers, and this service is free. Job listings are frequently updated as employers list their needs. The availability of fax and telephone lines, photocopying and advice and assistance on preparing resumes also help to ease the transition from one occupation to another. Reach the Career Center at 645-4287.
Western Mountains Alliance is a not-for-profit organization housed on the University of Maine at Farmington campus, works to help businesses and organizations build their capacity to succeed in this region and are a good source for information on issues, concerns, needs and resources to help new and growing businesses in the area succeed. They can be reached at 778-7274.
The Mountain Counties Heritage Program is also a good source of information, especially on small business development associated with local natural resources, artisans, and tourism. They can be reached at 778-3885.
Kent Wiles, President | Laurie Blake, Executive
Director
407 Wilton Road | Farmington, Maine 04938
Tel. (207) 778-4215 | Fax: (207) 778-2438 | Email: info@fwcoc.org