Throughout the pandemic, I’ve heard most from folks struggling to keep their businesses afloat as they’ve had to shut their doors or severely limit service capacity. This has been hard on everyone. I’ve also felt the strain with my own small business. When many of us are already worried about a million things including our own health or a loved one’s, or are struggling to figure out how to ensure our kids get everything they need in terms of schooling and recreation, facing the potential of losing your business can feel like an insurmountable burden. In an effort to help soften the blow, Governor Mills has decided to use a portion of the federal CARES Act funding to provide grants to small businesses and nonprofits that have fallen through the cracks or were not able to access other forms of financial support.
The program is backed by $200 million from the CARES Act. However, only $105 million was awarded in the first phase of the program. This announcement came on October 15 and provided awards to businesses and nonprofits across the state impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Award winners should begin to see those funds distributed in the coming weeks. Here in Gorham, more than 20 small businesses and nonprofits were awarded funds from the first round of the economic recovery program.
This money won’t replace lost profits due to businesses closing or experiencing a decline in customer traffic, but it will provide some much needed assistance to keep businesses running during these difficult times. The funds can be used for several things including: payroll costs and expenses, rent or mortgage payments for business facilities, utilities payments, operating expenses, expenses incurred to replenish inventory or other necessary re-opening expenses, purchase of personal protective equipment required by the business or business related equipment.
The Mills Administration, through the Department of Economic and Community Development, decided to offer an expanded second round of the economic recovery grant program. The deadline to apply for this second round is today, October 29.
In this round, businesses and nonprofits that employ up to 250 people are eligible for the grant award. This differs from the first round, which only accepted applications from organizations that had up to 50 full time employees. Further, licensed child care and behavioral health organizations are eligible in this round, along with businesses and nonprofits that are less than one year old. I was happy to see this expanded eligibility, and know it will have a meaningful impact on businesses in Gorham that didn’t quite fit the mold in the first round.
Here in Gorham, we are fortunate to have grown substantially from a predominantly agriculture-based small town to a community with a diverse and bustling economy. We benefit from having access to a range of riverfront recreational activities, a top-rated public school system, a college campus, the urban “Village” and an active industrial park. It is through this diverse economic structure and a deep sense of community, unique to our town, that I believe we can weather this storm together. Having support from the Mills administration by way of this grant program is crucial for keeping our businesses and nonprofits open as we navigate these challenging times together.
As always, please reach out to me if you have any questions.
Rep. Maureen “Mo” Terry, D-Gorham, 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.
Contact her at (207) 712-9735, (800) 423-2900, or maureen.terry@legislature.maine.gov