The Gorham Advantage
"Gorham long ago established itself as a hub of agriculture, manufacturing and commerce in Southern Maine. Today, robust economic development fosters business attraction, retention, and job creation, and expanded infrastructure and collaborations point to a vibrant future."
Community Feel, Business Focus
Gorham is perfectly located for businesses to thrive in Southern Maine. A thriving community of 18,000+ people located a few miles from Portland and just minutes from the Maine Turnpike (I-95), we pride ourselves on supporting businesses across all industries. Gorham is a community bursting with talent: a well-educated workforce, high quality schools, and a network of business leaders. Gorham is active and vibrant with abundant outdoor recreation and a burgeoning village center. Gorham is a college town – home to the University of Southern Maine – and we strive to find ways of connecting emerging talent to opportunities within our growing business community. Gorham is home to manufacturing and industrial space. Gorham celebrates its agricultural heritage with family-generational farms and new ventures. Across the board, Gorham offers a welcoming business climate and market access to new, expanding and innovative businesses looking for the right location in northern New England. It’s what we call “The Gorham Advantage.”
Gorham is home to some of Maine’s largest industries, including construction, warehouse distribution, and manufacturing. The expanding Gorham Industrial Park – the 4th largest in Southern Maine – is less than ten minutes from I-95 and offers a range of acreage and building sizes to accommodate multiple user types. A variety of other industries continue to thrive in Gorham, including two of Maine’s largest breweries in Sebago Brewing Company and Lone Pine Brewing Company. In addition, health care, transportation and logistics, and the textile industry are each a strong representation of Gorham’s local economy.
- International Marine Terminal (Portland, ME): 20 minutes (12 miles)
- Boston, MA: Two hours (110 miles)
- Canada Border (Calais, ME): Four hours (230 miles)
Population Demographics
| Gorham Population | 18,588 (2024) |
|
Median Age About 50% of Gorham is aged 20-59 |
39.4 |
|
Median Income 40% of Gorham’s households have an annual income at or above $150,000 |
$116,094 |
Top Industries and Employment
| Largest Sectors |
Construction Health Care & Social Services Retail Trade Manufacturing |
| Specialized Sectors |
Construction Wholesale Trade |
| Growth Sectors |
Health Care Construction |
Responsive & Resourceful
Gorham and its economic development partners are eager help businesses thrive and grow. The Department of Community Development takes a pro-active approach to build relationships with businesses, assisting on site selection services and helping to navigate the municipal process for starting and operating a business in Gorham. Our approach to meeting with applicants early in the process ensures a much smoother process overall. We are especially proud of our local grants and loans program, which are available only to Gorham businesses and tailored to meet their specific needs.
A Network of Support
The Gorham Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) and Gorham Village Alliance are strategic partners in advancing local economic development. Each led by Gorham residents, they actively work with Town leaders, business owners and developers to address the needs of businesses, and promote Gorham through a series of “Shop Local” and professional networking events. Gorham Schools and business leaders also meet on a quarterly basis for a roundtable discussion on career opportunities and pathways for local students.
All Ages, All Seasons
As one of the fastest growing communities in the State of Maine, Gorham has a lot to offer – for all ages and in all seasons. Gorham plays home to young families and high-income residents eager to enjoy a variety of services and amenities available for our residents to enjoy. From a walkable downtown village and local farmers market to a host of various Town-sponsored events throughout the year, Gorham takes pride in a strong sense of community.
Outdoor recreation is a focal point for residents and visitors to Gorham, especially for those seeking enjoyment on over 50 miles of multi-use trails, nearly all of them within two miles of downtown. By embracing the town’s agricultural and recreational heritage while pursuing new opportunities in tourism and hospitality, the Gorham market is expanding and attracting visitors to enjoy the outdoors, open space, and our shops and restaurants.
Come learn more about the opportunities that await you in Gorham. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you and learn how we can help support your business!
