SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (AP) _ Republican Gov. Paul LePage's administration has revoked the city of South Portland's ``business friendly'' status because of a local ordinance that bans tar sands oil from being exported from the city's harbor.
It's the first community to lose the designation since LePage started the program three years ago.
The program evaluates municipalities on issues such as customer service, licensing and permitting and business involvement. News of the revocation was first reported by the weekly newspaper, the Sentry.
But South Portland city officials say they don't think the loss will hurt the city.
City Councilor Claude Morgan tells the Portland Press Herald that the community has ``a tremendous mix of retail and large businesses here and the support is overwhelmingly positive.''