 Maine saw just over 14,000 business applications last year, about an 8% increase from the year before and the highest on record going back to 2005. That according to new census data released last month. Maine State Chamber of Commerce President Patrick Woodcock says the data point to a strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and continued growth in key industries. Life sciences, tourism, forestry, a lot of new businesses are small. That's the lifeblood of the state.