$40 Million Economic Recovery Grant Program to Support

Maine Tourism, Hospitality & Retail Small Businesses

Gov. Janet Mills announced today an economic recovery grant program to support Maine’s tourism, hospitality, and retail small businesses. Backed by $40 million in Federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF), the Tourism, Hospitality & Retail Recovery Grant Program is focused specifically on supporting Maine’s service sector small businesses, such as restaurants, bars, tasting rooms, lodging and retail shops, which have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and now face additional challenges with the coming winter months.

APPLICATION DETAILS

Grants will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis to the first 2,500 applicants which will allow for funding to be dispersed as applications are received and reviewed.

The application portal will open Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. on DECD’s website and will remain open until funds are depleted.

The application is expected to take about ten minutes to complete. Funds must be committed by December 30, 2020 per guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department.

Eligible applicants may receive up to $20,000.

INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR

The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday, December 2 at 9 AM to discuss the program and to answer questions. Please click here to register.