As a small business owner, I know just how difficult this time is for folks who are self-employed. Whether you are operating in a limited capacity and have had to face the extremely difficult reality of laying off workers and reconfiguring how you do business, or if you have had to shut your doors entirely and are now wrestling with SBA loan applications or waiting anxiously for more guidance on unemployment, there is nothing easy about owning a small business or being self-employed right now. Not that this line of work was ever easy!
Most days, I find myself elbow deep in recreating my old restaurant menus, getting ready for the farmers market to start, trying to ensure my kids are kept busy so they miss their friends just a little less, and answering questions for friends and neighbors who have found themselves out of work or struggling to navigate various loan applications for their business. It’s overwhelming and exhausting, to say the least. I am grateful that there has been some guidance for small businesses, but we need more, and we need more and faster relief for those who are self-employed.
In response to the coronavirus, the US Small Business Administration offered Maine more access to Economic Impact Disaster Loans and worked with local lenders to accept and process applications for the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides small businesses and sole proprietors with funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Unfortunately, the funding for both programs has already been exhausted, and we are waiting on Congress to pass another stimulus bill that will get more money to those programs and eventually out to you. Once those programs are working again, please reach out to the many banks and credit unions in Gorham, who are great local partners, and ask if they are an approved vendor.
As part of our state’s efforts to make unemployment insurance benefits more accessible, employers can use a Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) program called Workshare to make sure their employees get partial unemployment benefits if their hours are reduced. Plus, the Legislature took steps to make more consumer loans available at low-to-no interest with the help of Maine lenders.
For those who are self-employed and looking to receive unemployment, MDOL will soon be expanding eligibility so you can receive benefits. It’s important that you not apply until they are ready to accept your application. Keep checking their website to see when that program will be up and running.
I also want to remind you that you can always check my Facebook page for important, ever changing information or sign up for my email newsletter, where I have been sending weekly COVID-19 updates and resources. I usually see so many of you at the farmers market to talk about all things Augusta, but it will be different this time around. We’ll be able to see each other and have a quick hello from six feet apart, but we are asking to keep the market to business only for now.
If you have any questions about any of these programs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me by phone at 287-1430 or email maureen.terry@maine.legislature.gov.
Rep. Maureen “Mo” Terry is serving her second term in the Maine House of Representatives. She is a chef and small business owner with more than 25 years of experience in the food service industry. She serves on the Taxation Committee.
(207) 712- 9735 | (800) 423-2900 | maureen.terry@legislature.maine.gov