Jay board backs business grant application

JAY — Selectpersons voted unanimously Monday to support an application for a microenterprise grant to help local businesses.

Under the state Community Development Block Grant program, municipalities can qualify for a maximum of $150,000, with individual businesses qualifying for up to $50,000 each, depending on job creation and other variables, Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere said previously.

Jaaron Shaw, who owns property at 5 Intervale Road and Maine Dojo, previously approached LaFreniere about the possibility of applying for the grant.

With the board’s support for an application, LaFreniere said she could get information out so other interested businesses could also start preparing before the February application date.

The town has previously received training grants and a $250,000 grant to reconstruct a section of Old Jay Hill Road to allow heavy equipment and trucks hauling heavy material, such as granite curbing to and from Polycor. Jay voters agreed to put $50,000 from the town’s 2014-15 Public Works Department budget in a reserve for the project. The road construction was completed earlier this year.

dperry@sunmediagroup.net