The new offices, to be located in Bangor and Portland, will operate in addition to the Maine District Office in Augusta. The sites will also allow SBA District Office Employees to work from locations around the state rather than being limited to one location, giving SBA's Maine employees remote access to information and resources. At the same time, the facilities will provide for quicker, more efficient responses to the needs of small business owners.

"I am pleased that the SBA is making this commitment to Maine small businesses as well as to its own employees," said Snowe, Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. "In a state the size of Maine, establishing these work sites will help the SBA's District Office staff develop stronger connections with the communities they serve while enhancing the level of service available to small business owners throughout the state."

Snowe requested that the SBA include Maine in its national pilot program to establish Alternative Work Sites. The Maine offices are scheduled to open during the week of February 16th. The Bangor office will be located at One Cumberland Place, and will serve Eastern and Northern Maine. The SBA plans to announce the location of the Portland office, which will serve Cumberland and York Counties, later this week.

Through the Alternative Work Sites, small business owners will be available to apply for SBA-backed grants, inquire about federal contracting opportunities and gain access to a range of additional SBA programs and services.

"I appreciate Administrator Hector Barreto's work to include Maine in the Alternative Work Site pilot program and look forward to continuing our joint efforts to better serve the small business community," Snowe added. "This project is vitally important, both to future of the SBA and to Maine."

Senator Snowe is continuing her efforts on behalf of Maine businesses this month. On Tuesday, February 17th, Snowe is hosting a Small Business Manufacturing Forum from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Jeff's Catering in Brewer, providing manufacturers an opportunity to meet with and hear from a number of organizations that offer assistance to firms working to improve their manufacturing business. Manufacturers from throughout the state will also be speaking on a number of critical issues.