Madison Business Gateway Madison Business Gateway
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Madison Business Gateway

26 Weston Avenue
PO Box 190
Madison, ME 04950

phone (207) 696-3334
fax (207) 696-5623
email us

For lot information:
Norman Dean
(207) 696-3971


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Workforce Training Available to Businesses Expanding to Madison

An employee of Madison Paper in Madison, Maine.
An employee of Madison Paper in Madison, Maine

Maine offers three excellent workforce training programs that can get new and expanding businesses in Madison off to the right start.

Ken Krizner, managing editor of expansionmanagement.com noted in a recent article that, "...company executives demand an ROI almost as soon as the doors are open," and "On-the-job training is no longer an option."

By locating in Madison, expanding and new businesses can take advantage of three workforce training programs to support economic development and get new and expanding business operations up to full-speed with a prepared work team right away.

Employers can immediately take advantage of an educated workforce - Madison has one of the highest rates of high school completion in the nation (94.5 percent), and over 85 percent of registered job seekers have high school or post secondary degrees. In addition, the town is in close proximity to several campuses of public and private colleges and universities that offer advanced degrees and participate in the state's workforce training programs.


The Maine Quality Centers program encourages businesses to locate or expand operations in Maine by providing customized workforce training at no cost to the business or to trainees. Our education and training programs are coordinated and delivered through Maine's seven community colleges - one of which is in close proximity to Madison. The MQC program is designed to ensure that you have a pool of qualified workers with the knowledge and skills your business needs. Our staff will work with you to design a customized training program that delivers the training when you need it and where you need it. Qualifications for businesses to participate in this program are:

  • To participate, businesses must create a minimum of eight full-time jobs with benefits (located in Maine). Small and mid-sized businesses that are creating fewer than eight jobs may have an opportunity to participate through training partnerships.
  • Project complements regional economic development goals.
  • The new jobs meet a minimum skill requirement, with competitive salary and benefits.


A Backyard Farms employee plants new tomatoes.
A Backyard Farms employee plants new tomatoes.
The Governor's Training Initiative, which offers partial reimbursement of training costs, may be provided to employers who are hiring new employees, and/or retaining or upgrading its existing work force. Training services eligible for reimbursement include: Recruitment, Assessment, Job Task Analysis, Workplace Literacy, High Performance Skills, Technical Training Higher Education, On-the-Job Training, Workplace Safety and Competitive Retooling.

Qualifications for businesses looking to take advantage of this program are:

  • Incurring work force training costs related to unique circumstances such as expansion, retention, or upgrading issues.
  • Paying wages equal to 85% of the average wage for that occupation in the given labor market.
  • Contributing at least 50% of the premium cost of employee health insurance except for small companies with fewer than 25 employees and in business less than three years.


The Maine Apprenticeship Program assists in setting up structured yet flexible training programs designed to meet the specific needs of Maine employers through on-the-job training (OJT) and related classroom instruction. Apprenticeship Programs can be sponsored by employers, employer associations, or labor/management groups that can hire and train in a working situation. MAP may reimburse up to 50% of an Apprentice's tuition for college credit courses. In addition, the Apprentice works full-time for their sponsor (employer), applying related coursework and newly acquired skills to accomplish occupational tasks in a hands-on environment.

Who can participate in this program?

  • Any business, large or small, union or non-union, which employs workers in an apprenticeable occupation is qualified to be a sponsor; and any existing employee or new hire can become an Apprentice as long as they:
  • Have their high school diploma or GED
  • Are over the age of 16
  • Are committed to furthering their education, both in the classroom and on the job

By choosing to locate in Madison, businesses can take advantage of these educational programs, as well as proximity to major markets and transportation corridors on the East Coast, affordable real estate and electricity, TIF and other tax-incentive programs, excellent schools, and a business-friendly community.

For more information on Maine's workforce training programs, please visit: http://www.mainebiz.org/business_assistance/workforce_training.asp

To learn more about the many benefits of locating your business in Madison, please contact Brian Hamel at 207-764-3302.

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