100 best places to live and launch

Population: 15,204
Pro: Educated work force
Con: Locals joke that Maine has two seasons: Winter and August.

Brunswick, which houses Bowdoin College, is one of those characteristically New England towns - picture a public green, red-brick buildings, and several historic districts. But local businesses in traditional industries such as shipbuilding are meeting modern neighbors: medical, retail, and technological enterprises. And when the Brunswick Naval Air Station closes in 2011, 200 acres of newly available commercial and industrial space will open up. New residents in industries such as marine science and software development can benefit from statewide incentives such as Maine's Small Enterprise Growth Fund, which offers funding to eligible companies with $5 million or less in sales and 50 or fewer employers.

While Brunswick is evolving, the charming downtown remains intact. Locals enjoy farmers' markets, art festivals, and wintertime skating. Such offerings attract tourists driving up I-295 from Portland, which lies just 30 minutes away. - Peter McDougall and Mina Kimes

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