Economic Recovery Grants: Maine Jobs and Recovery Small Business Grant Program

Department of Economic and Community Development

The Department of Economic and Community Development's Maine Jobs & Recovery Small Business Grant Program will provide expense-based grant relief to businesses and non-profits who are confronting substantial expenses stemming from the impacts of COVID-19. Expenses may include interest on deferred loans, increased costs of reopening or doing business as a result of COVID-19, and increased costs due to supply chain disruptions or increased demand.

An initial $5 million grant round closed November 26, 2021, which was targeted at supporting COVID-related expenses to sustain operations. In October 2022, 2,919 Maine small businesses and nonprofit organizations received a one-time electric utility account credit of more than $2,000 to provide relief from increased energy costs. This relief, totaling $7 million, was the product of legislation sponsored by Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Aroostook, and signed into law by Governor Mills, with funding provided through the Jobs Plan through funds allocated by the Legislature for small business relief.