MEDIA ROOM

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January 1, 2007

Matt Jacobson of Maine & Company Speaks Highly of Madison’s Economic Development Efforts

Matt Jacobson was appointed Maine & Company’s President and CEO in January 2006. Maine & Company’s mission is to provide assistance to companies locating to or growing in Maine.

Part of Jacobson’s job is to visit communities around the state to scout potential sites for these prospective companies. After visiting Madison several times and meeting with MBG committee members, he had high praise for what Madison has accomplished.

“It is very encouraging to see a community that has done its homework,” Jacobson says. “Madison has taken a thorough inventory of its strengths and weaknesses. The community has done an outstanding job of marketing its strengths, addressing its weaknesses, and finding out where they have a competitive advantage.”

Having as much infrastructure in place as possible is something businesses look for when exploring potential building sites. Jacobson says MBG separates Madison from other communities because it has utilities in place and is pre-permitted. This saves businesses a great deal of effort, time and money trying to take care of these logistics themselves.

“Constructing the park also shows prospects that Madison has a sound, long-term development strategy,” says Jacobson. “The community invested a great deal of time and forethought as to how to attract businesses. Companies notice and appreciate this attention to detail.”

Jacobson adds that the prospect kit MBG has available is invaluable when courting prospects. Many of the leads he receives are very time sensitive and require a fast response. MBG’s prospect kit has the data those businesses are looking for – statistics on available labor force, infrastructure, and success stories of Madison-based businesses such as Backyard Farms (formerly US Functional Foods). Jacobson also says that town officials are extremely quick to respond when prospects want to visit or require additional information.

Jacobson has built a strong relationship with MBG committee members as well as Brian Hamel, MBG’s sales consultant. He has referred a number of leads to Madison and continues to partner with Hamel and town officials to bring new businesses to the community.

“Madison is far ahead of many other communities when it comes to economic development because of the time they have invested,” Jacobson says. “The town and business park are high on my list of sites for prospects interested in doing business in Maine.”

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