South Portland Economic Development

Congratulations to the Portland Harbor Dredge Team! Winners of the APEX award from the Environmental Business Council of New England. This project was a true collaboration over decades between Portland, South Portland and multiple Federal agencies and engineering consultants. An example that working together we can accomplish monumental things!

What is the value of this project? Dredging a harbor offers immense economic and infrastructural value by maintaining safe, navigable waterways for commercial shipping, ferries, and recreational boats. By deepening channels, ports can accommodate larger vessels, boost local "blue economy" businesses, and support jobs. It also enables ecological restoration by utilizing clean, dredged sand to replenish eroding public beaches.

Now that it's warm out, have you been dreaming of riding around on a bike? has got you covered! They have a great selection of new, used, and vintage bikes for sale, as well as expert bike mechanics for yearly maintenance and repair. Not ready to commit, or just needing a bike for a short while? They have rentals of both beach cruisers and city bikes available by the hour, day, or week. Are you visiting our lovely city and looking for a more guided experience? Lighthouse Bikes also has 2 and 3 hour biking tours that take you past historic lighthouses, parks, and beaches. Lighthouse Bikes is located in Knightville, so stop by to chat with owner Leah today!

Have you been to since their rebrand? They're serving up the same good vibes, just with a fresh spin. The inside of the restaurant is decked out in bright colors with a retro feel that is equally fun and nostalgic. Their menu has classic diner food such as burgers and milkshakes, as well as unique offerings such as haddock cakes and NA herbal tonics, truly catering to everyone. While it's warm out make sure to swing by and check out their patio as well. They are open 7 days a week for both lunch and dinner.

Located at 501 Cottage Rd. South Portland

Are you looking to refresh your summer wardrobe? Plato's Closet, located in the Clarks Pond Plaza, a few doors down from Taj, is waiting for you to stop by! They not only have an amazing selection of clothes and shoes for all genders, but they will also buy some of the items that you are getting rid of for either store credit or cash. Their clothing is mostly geared towards teens and twenty-somethings, but it is worth popping by regardless of age to see what they have. Their prices are extremely affordable, and they always have an amazing selection of current trendy pieces, timeless items, shoes, and athleisure.

Our June 2026 Newsletter highlights the SoPo community through local business spotlights, upcoming events, and workforce development initiatives. This month, we feature The Wicked Pickle, a thriving community hub for activities and gatherings. Additionally, we celebrate new businesses like The Dooryard Pub and Ashley Furniture, contributing to job creation in our area. Check out events like the Community Impact Awards and the upcoming Career Fair, fostering connections and opportunities.

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June 2026 Newsletter Email from Economic Development - City of South Portland Select View Entire Message for the full scoop!     June 2026 Newsletter "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." ~

Our Business Spotlight for June is .me ! The Wicked Pickle, located at 2401 W Broadway, has officially been open for a little over a year, and they have quickly become a favorite spot for physical activity, good eats, and community gathering. From tournaments and leagues to open play and clinics, they have something for everybody, at all skill levels. Additionally they make an amazing location for private events such as birthday parties, corporate team-building outings, and large group events. After your workout is done and you're looking for some fuel, they've got you covered with an extensive menu of paninis, salads, and post-game beverages. For those who aren't ready to commit to a monthly membership, they have affordable drop-in rates, so if you have been wanting to see what the fun is all about, give them a try!

TBD Connections is starting a new chapter here in SoPo! Their goal is to create a welcoming, relationship-focused networking group where local business owners, professionals, and entrepreneurs can connect, support one another, and grow meaningful relationships. Their meetings will be hosted every Monday from 8:30AM-9:30AM at !

We know everyone has heard of Sea Bags , and many of you probably even have some of their bags, but did you know all of their products are made right here in SoPo? Last week our office had the pleasure of taking a tour of the Sea Bags 35,000 square-foot manufacturing facility located at 174 Cash St. This facility is a one-stop shop for production. After washing and cutting the sails, the design team transforms the sails by adding patterns and designs. Some of them feature the vintage numbers from the original sails, while others are adorned with nautical emblems, iconic maine imagery, and even custom designs. Once the designing is done, the fabric is turned into a bag by one of the in-house stitchers. Once the bag is done it heads over to quality control to ensure the bag is ready to leave the facility and into the hands of the customer! They have a strong commitment to the local workforce, sourcing all sails from Maine first, New England second, and the U.S. third, with the iconic hand-made rope handles coming from Fall River, Mass. We are so happy to have such a sustainable and intentional manufacturing company here in SoPo! Head to their website to learn more about their sustainable practices and closed/loop supply chain.

We had another successful workforce roundtable where we gathered with industry professionals from a a variety of different sectors to discuss issues and opportunities related to workforce development in our state and community. This month's meeting featured a presentation by Karen Morin from the Maine Department of Community and Economic Development on the Maine Career Exploration Program. This program helps students and young adults connect to Maine's economy by offering paid opportunities to explore career paths that are in line with their individual interests, at no cost to the employer. Additionally, we learned about the Dirigo Business Incentives Program which offers eligible businesses the opportunity to greatly reduce their state taxes for up to 5 years when they make significant capital investments or provide qualified employee training in certain business sectors. A special thank you to for hosting us in their new event space, located in the old Snow Squall, as well as providing an amazing spread of coffees, breakfast items, and pastries!

Congratulations to Maine Jamaican Kitchen on successfully opening their doors at 85 Western Ave, over by Maine Mall. Their menu features authentic caribbean food such as jerk chicken and tilapia, fried plantains, and beef patty’s. They also have an amazing selection of desserts! Swing by for lunch or dinner to try some of their food and welcome them to our neighborhood!