637 Minot Avenue, Auburn, ME 04210

Why Auburn, Maine Is Attractive for Business Owners

Location & Regional Advantage

Auburn sits at the center of the Lewiston–Auburn (L/A) metro, Maine’s second-largest economic hub.

Key advantages:

• Direct access to Route 202, Route 4, Route 11, and I-95

• Central reach to Greater Portland, Augusta, and Western Maine

• Draws customers from Androscoggin, Oxford, Franklin, and Cumberland counties

This makes Auburn ideal for destination-based businesses, service businesses, and regional employers.

Lower Cost of Doing Business

Compared to Southern Maine and Greater Portland, Auburn offers:

• Lower commercial real estate prices

• More affordable land for development or expansion

• Lower average lease rates for retail, industrial, and flex space

• Competitive labor costs

This creates higher margins and lower break-even points, especially important for startups or growing businesses.

Pro-Business City & Economic Development Support

Auburn is widely regarded as one of Maine’s most business-friendly municipalities.

City support includes:

• An active Economic Development Department

• Assistance with site selection and permitting

• Willingness to work with developers and entrepreneurs

• Support for redevelopment, adaptive reuse, and job creation

This collaborative approach reduces friction during permitting, zoning, and expansion.

Strong Workforce & Community Loyalty

The L/A area has:

• A large, stable workforce

• Strong blue-collar, skilled trades, healthcare, and service sectors

• Community loyalty to locally owned businesses

Businesses in Auburn often benefit from:

• Long-term employees

• Repeat customers

• Strong word-of-mouth marketing

Diverse & Resilient Local Economy

Auburn’s economy is not dependent on one industry, which helps stabilize business performance.

Major sectors include:

• Manufacturing & light industrial

• Healthcare

• Education

• Distribution & logistics

• Retail & service businesses

• Growing recreation & tourism base

This diversity makes Auburn more recession-resilient than many smaller markets.

Growth, Revitalization & Investment Momentum

Auburn has seen:

• Downtown reinvestment

• Mill and warehouse redevelopment

• New residential and mixed-use projects

• Increased demand for family-oriented services, recreation, and health-focused businesses

For owners, this means:

• Appreciation potential

• Early-mover advantage in underserved niches

• Opportunity to anchor growing neighborhoods

Tax & Incentive Opportunities

While specifics vary by project, Auburn businesses may benefit from:

• Local and state economic development programs

• Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for qualifying developments

• Workforce training assistance

• Redevelopment and infrastructure support

These tools can significantly improve project feasibility and returns.

Quality of Life = Talent Retention

Auburn offers:

• Lower cost of living than Southern Maine

• Access to lakes, trails, skiing, and outdoor recreation

• Strong schools and family-friendly neighborhoods

For business owners, this translates into:

• Easier employee recruitment

• Better retention

• Owners can live where they work without Southern Maine pricing pressure

Bottom Line

Owning a business in Auburn offers a rare combination of:

✔ Strategic regional access
✔ Lower operating and real estate costs
✔ Pro-business municipal support
✔ Stable workforce
✔ Community loyalty
✔ Growth and appreciation potential

It’s particularly well-suited for service businesses, recreation, healthcare, light industrial, and destination-based uses.