AUGUSTA — Gov. John Baldacci says a string of business expansions in Maine bodes well for the state’s economy.

In his weekly radio address, the governor says the federal stimulus act that’s sent hundreds of millions of dollars to the state is also helping to bring Maine out of the recession.

Baldacci says business expansions by Live Lobster at a former sardine plant in Prospect Harbor, Kestrel Aircraft at the Brunswick air base, and TD Bank’s call center in Auburn will create hundreds of jobs. Hundreds of more people are being put to work by federal Recovery Act, or stimulus, funding. That was bolstered this week by a U.S. Senate votes to extend Medicaid funding.

Baldacci says there’s reason to be optimistic despite difficult budget choices that must be made in the future. He says progress comes when there’s cooperation between the private sector and government at all levels.