Business Resources

Maine Jobs and Recovery Small Business Grant

The Maine Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD) announced the availability of the Maine Jobs and Recovery Small Business Grant on November 3, 2021. This funding is available to businesses that were open before the COVID-19 pandemic began AND to new businesses that were in business as of January 1, 2021.  

Eligibility Criteria

  • Have been in business as of January 1, 2021. 
  • Must be an ongoing operating business and not have permanently ceased operation. Must demonstrate a 20% revenue loss.
  • Must demonstrate increased expenses because of COVID-19. These expenses must have been incurred between March 2020 and June 30, 2021. 
  • Must have all business operations within Maine.

Eligible Expenses 

Grant  relief  is  intended  to  help  businesses  and  nonprofits  with  significant expenses  related  to  COVID  impacts.  These  expenses  include:   

  • Interest on deferred business/commercial loans as a direct result of the pandemic. 
  • Costs that occurred after reopening. These might include PPE, workforce training, physical safety measures (Plexi-glass), etc.
  • Increased cost of doing business as a result of COVID-19. This might include expenses incurred to improve remote access, implementation of contactless check-in/out/payment for takeout, etc.  
  • Expenses associated with space improvement. This might include creating outdoor space for social distancing, adding or reconfiguring space to create social distancing needed, HVAC improvements, adding pods, etc.
  • Applicants may claim expenses in one or more categories. Payroll expenses are not eligible for this program.

This program is NOT a first-come-first-serve program.  Applications are being accepted through November 26, at which point, all applications will be evaluated . Award amounts will be calculated based on need and volume of applications.  

FAQ's about this new grant program can be found here.  

The application deadline is 11:59 PM, November 26, 2021 - The Friday after Thanksgiving.

Apply Here

COVID-19 Micro-Enterprise Business Grant Program

The Maine Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD) in partnership with the Maine Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) is providing grants of up to $5,000 for businesses with five or fewer employees, with an owner whose income is in the low to moderate range, as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Business owners must meet with a Maine SBDC business advisor to determine eligibility and submit an application.

Request Advising for COVID 19 grant

Eligibility criteria include:

  • Must be a Maine business and resident
  • Must demonstrate a revenue loss as a direct consequence of COVID-19. Funds cannot duplicate those received from other federal, state or local programs (including other CDBG funds).
  • Must have five or fewer employees including the owner(s)
  • Must have been in business as of December 1, 2019
  • Must have a DUNS Number, which can be obtained here.
  • Owner’s household income must be low/moderate as defined by HUD as verified by 2019 or 2020 tax return. Please see income eligibility by county (opens in new tab). Total annual household income must not exceed these limits.

American Rescue Plan Grants to Rebuild the Creative Economy

The National Endowment for the Arts announced two programs to distribute American Rescue Plan (ARP) relief funds to help the Arts and Culture sector recover from the pandemic. These programs are open to nonprofit arts and culture organizations and local arts agencies, regardless of whether they have received NEA funding in the past.

 The Arts Endowment is encouraging applications from a variety of eligible organizations including those:

  • that serve populations whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by ethnicity, economics, geography, or disability; 
  • with small and medium-sized budgets and from rural to urban parts of the country; and
  • that are applying to the Arts Endowment for the first time.

 Read here for more information about the program. 

Recovery and Relaunch Resource Center

Maine Small Business Development Center's Recovery and Relaunch Resource Center provides businesses with a three-step process to Review, Relaunch and Recover.

COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

This program has been extended through December 31, 2021. What You Need to Know About SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan 

Maine Resource Compass

Are you a for-profit entrepreneur, nonprofit organization, or small business owner looking for assistance during the COVID-19 crisis? The partners and resources listed on this site provide critical support, programs, and funding for those in need.

COVID 19 Unemployment & Related Federal Programs

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is a federal program that was included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The program provides support for Americans who are unable to work due to the Coronavirus pandemic, but do not qualify for traditional Unemployment Insurance (UI).

PUA covers the self-employed and many others not typically eligible for traditional unemployment, See details (PDF)

MaineMEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership) Resources

Looking for PPE?

The Manufacturers Association of Maine and The Maine MEP are collectively working with several Maine manufacturing companies making PPE. They continue to update their site with the most current companies making PPE across Maine.

Other Resources

Keep Maine Healthy FAQs

State of Maine COVID-19 Response

Agriculture and Food Business resources from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Tax relief from the IRS 

AVCOG COVID-19 Newsletters - COVID-19 Resource Updates