LEWISTON — The Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments is accepting applications from small businesses in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties for financial assistance grants to businesses impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic, but who received little or no help from the government.

The grants of $2,500 to $20,000 can be used for commercial rent and utilities, inventory, equipment, insurance, payroll and other working capital needs.

Eligibility for the grants include the following:

• Businesses with 50 or fewer employees.

• Businesses that opened between Jan. 1, 2020, and before May 11, 2023.

• Businesses able to demonstrate negative impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Businesses in the following towns in Oxford County are not eligible for the program: Brownfield, Denmark, Fryeburg, Hiram, Porter, Lovell, Stoneham, Stow or Sweden.

AVCOG Executive Director Amy Landry said in addition to grant funding, the organization will offer targeted technical assistance to eligible businesses, who are encouraged to complete the intake form available on the AVCOG website.

The funding comes from a grant from the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, using Federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. There is a potential for future rounds of funding.

The deadline to apply for the grants is 4 p.m. March 29, with notification of application acceptance or denial by April 30.

For more information on how to apply visit: https://www.avcog.org/1266/EconomicRecovery-Hub-Grant-Program.