With over 230,000 people living in the Greater Portland Area and over 64,000 in the City of Portland, the area experiences low unemployment and an abundance of jobs that need to be filled. The city is ranked as one of the 10 Safest American Cities and among the Top 25 Mid-Sized Cities in the US for Jobs and Business success. It is an increasingly sustainable are, promoting and enhancing its green and sustainable industries, particularly in water use and in alternative transportation - notably, bicycles.

Unemployment rates have been low in the Greater Portland Area statistical unit, with the figure stable at 4.0% in June 2008. This means that there are jobs available with not enough workers to fill them. Unemployment rates fell in the south of Maine throughout the first half of 2008, leaving jobs to be filled.

The Founder of Dell Computers has made heavy investments in the Portland Area, which is expanding businesses and creating jobs in an upward trend through 2020. IN addition, Nova Scotia has invested heavily in Portland Area ferry operations, taking the bite out of fuel costs and enabling shipping and receiving transport through the port to expand in volume. The US Navy has contracted with General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, Saco Defense to the tune of about $8 million for aircraft gunnery equipment production. In addition, the US Army has been awarded a similar $9 million contract which will require additional military and civilian staff.

Cabelas, the store that sponsors the Iditarod commemorative sled dog race, The Last Great Race in Alaska, opened a store near Portland that is doing large amounts of business and creating more ob openings. Answering Financial Services needs in Portland, Prudential Financial has opened a second office in Portland. Hydro International has purchased a competitor and expanded business operations int he city to target green technologies and sustainability through processing rain water, stormwater, runoff and other water sources.

Portland, Maine needs more workers at all levels of expertise.

• Maine Medical Center
• Children's Miracle Network
• Mercy Hospital
• US Post Office
• Mariner Beverages
• Mercy Health System of Maine
• TD Banknorth Inc.
• Spurwink School
• Barber Foods

These companies are also among the largest employers in the state of Maine overall.

Wicked Good Stuff for Job Seekers

--A compendium of online resources compiled by the State of Maine.

1. Management Positions in All Industries
2. Health & Social and Human Service Professionals, including RNs, Physical Therapy & Medical & Physician's Assistants, and Personal Care & Home Health Aides
3. Information Technology - Analysts & Software Engineers and Others. The link provides Career and Internship information across Maine.
4. Finance and Insurance
5. Veterinary Techs
6. Property, real estate, and community association managers
7. Recreational Vehicle & Motor Cycle Service techs and mechanics
8. Retail Salespersons
9. Professional, Scientific, and Tech Services
10. Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation - especially sound studio and filming.

In addition, nearly 4,000,000 tourists visit Portland every year, creating a need for additional workers in Tourism and Hospitality.

• Andover College
• Maine College of Art
• Maine Medical Center-Residency
• Maine Medical Center-Surgical Technology
• Mercy Hospital-School of Radiologic Technology
• New England Baptist Bible College
• Portland Adult Education
• University of Maine - School of Law
• University of New England
• University of Southern Maine

The Eastern Seaboard of the United States and New England were some of the first locations to be settled as Europeans came to the New World and later formed the Original 13 Colonies of America [ See the Hub series called What is the History of the USA?]

Prior to the settlement of the whites, the Native Americans of the area called what is now Portland "Great Neck" in their own language. The English called it Casco and then Falmouth, but about 1800 a splinter group broke away and formed Portland, named for the water port nearby. Although all of these cities were apparently destroyed at least once by fire or Native American attack, Portland was rebuilt and still stands.

The National Register of Historic Places includes at least 84 different sites in Portland ME alone, and hundreds in Cumberland County total, listed at: National Register of Historical Places In Cumberland County.

Additional information is available at Maine Visible Black History and Maine Native American Links as well as Maine Irish Heritage Center, Portland and Scot's History - Nathaniel Hawthorne in Portland and Maine.