Here in Maine, small business is a big deal. Our state is known for its friendly Main Streets and tradition of family-owned stores and restaurants.

But as mills and factories have closed or scaled back across the state, Main Street businesses have suffered, too. And while Maine is known as Vacationland, businesses that rely on seasonal visitors too often struggle in the off-season.

Last session, I sponsored bills that would help seasonal businesses bring in more revenue during the warmer months, when visitors come to Maine in droves, and help communities revitalize and redevelop their downtown spaces. Now, restaurants face fewer hurdles when they want to open outdoor venues to better serve their summer customers.

I’m proud of the effort I have put in so far to support Maine’s local economy, but I know more can be done. I’m excited to roll my sleeves up and get back to work.

When a community loses a major employer, such as a mill, the impact ripples through the whole local economy. Out-of-work residents often struggle to get by. But they also have less money to spend on Sunday breakfast at the diner, gas and coffee at the convenience store downtown, or even a subscription to their local newspaper. Businesses in Maine, like a forest of trees, help hold each other up.

So when the Mom-and-Pop store that’s been in town for decades is in trouble, it’s on all of us to do what we can to help them stay on their feet. No one wants to see a long-beloved local business close its doors for good.

Towns and cities across Maine have had to come up with creative solutions to adjust to the loss of mills. Maine lawmakers must continue to provide these municipalities with the resources they need to rehabilitate spaces vacated by mills, while maintaining the freedom of local control — because not every community will have the same needs or goals.

Another strategy to help communities bounce back and begin to thrive again is to make sure new businesses find a welcoming environment and modern infrastructure waiting for them. I vow to work with my colleagues in the Senate to ensure Maine towns and cities that are looking to make room for new entrepreneurs have access to the sort of programs they need to be successful.

The good news is, redevelopment efforts have been working — all across Maine. My own city of Biddeford has seen remarkable growth. Our downtown is coming alive again, with some local businesses even receiving national acclaim. We’re showing the whole country what we already know: That Maine is great place to live and work.

Maine’s small businesses need support and freedom to grow and thrive in their communities — and we need our small businesses to succeed. I vow to continue to work diligently to pass common-sense laws to help our Mom-and-Pop stores stay in the towns that love them, and help new businesses put down roots and grow strong.

As always, you can reach me via email at susan.deschambault@legislature.maine.gov, or on the phone at 287-1515.

It has been an honor to serve you in the Maine Senate so far, and I am excited to see what great things we can accomplish together in the coming two years.

— State Sen. Susan Deschambault, D-Biddeford, represents Senate District 32, which includes Alfred, Arundel, Biddeford, Dayton, Kennebunkport and Lyman.