COVID-19 Business Resources
RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES
The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).
The site has a general checklist (for all industries), and business specific checklists, to identify best practices for safely operating your business during COVID-19. These checklists are updated as new information about COVID-19 or safe business practices emerge. https://www.maine.gov/decd/covid-19-prevention-checklists.
On December 4, 2020, DECD updated the Seated Food and Drink checklist. Click here to view the updated full checklist. Beginning Friday, November 20, 2020 through Sunday, January 3, 2021, Seated Food and Drink Service establishments must close for the night by 9:00 p.m. This does not apply to take-out or delivery. (Updated 12/4/20)
DECD in partnership with the Maine Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) will provide 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). Click here for the link for more information.
Each year the State of Maine receives a formula allocation of funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to be distributed to eligible Maine communities under the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). The CDBG Program to assist units of local government in various community projects in areas ranging from infrastructure, housing, downtown revitalization to public facilities and economic development. Click here for more information.
Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) has announced it will partner with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and financial institutions to provide low or no interest loans, and loan insurance for businesses affected by COVID-19. This could include more flexible loan terms, relaxed underwriting and special lower interest rates.
Federal loans can take time, but FAME is looking to help bridge that financial gap by working with SBA on intra-agency measures to provide that funding sooner. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.
The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses. The interest rate for private non-profit organizations is 2.75 percent. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.
SBA: https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/corp/smallbusiness.html and https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
FAME: https://www.famemaine.com/
AVCOG: http://www.avcog.org/1166/COVID-19-Resources
Applicants also may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 16, 2020
Other Resources with Information:
Greater Franklin Development Council: http://www.greaterfranklin.com/
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce: https://www.franklincountymaine.org/