Grants ranging from $250-$50,000 are now available for small businesses and nonprofits in Maine that have struggled due to the pandemic. $5 million in funds will be dispersed from the State of Maine’s Jobs and Recovery Grant Program via organizations including Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (SMPDC). The grant program targets businesses and nonprofits that still need immediate short-term help to sustain operations. The deadline for applying is Friday, November 26, 2021.
SMPDC Executive Director Paul Schumacher says, “COVID-19 has fundamentally changed the business environment. We continue to see challenges to many industries and are hoping this program will provide relief for costs incurred as a result of COVID-19, including interest on deferred loans, workforce safety training, indoor air quality improvements, increased costs due to supply chain disruptions, and more.”
Eligible applicants must have a 20% loss of revenue between March 2020 – June 30, 2021 due to COVID-19, compared to 2019. This program is not a first-come-first-serve program. All applications will be evaluated and award amounts will be calculated based on need and volume of applications.
Application Deadline Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on Friday, November 26, 2021. Visit the online application to complete the form electronically at Maine Jobs and Recovery Small Business Grant Program Application or smpdc.org
For additional information, please refer to the Maine Jobs and Recovery Small Business Grant Program FAQ document, call 1-800-872-3838, or email BizAwards.DECD@maine.gov
About Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission
Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (SMPDC) is a non-partisan nonprofit that cultivates thriving, sustainable communities and strengthens local governments by leading planning and economic development for 39 member towns in Southern Maine. The organization was founded in 1964 to provide technical expertise to municipalities in York, southern Oxford, and Cumberland Counties. SMPDC offers a coordinated effort for land use, smart growth, resource management, environmental sustainability, and transportation planning. For more information, please visit www.smpdc.org
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