Small businesses in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties can take advantage of a new Economic Recovery Hub Grant Program, launched by Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments in partnership with the Department of Economic and Community Development.
The goal of the program is to provide financial assistance to small businesses that were impacted by the pandemic but have received little or no government assistance.
The state of Maine recognized the need to help businesses that were not previously eligible for pandemic funding relief. The financial assistance grants of $2,500 up to $20,000 will be available to businesses with 50 or fewer employees that opened between Jan. 1, 2020, and before May 11, 2023. Small businesses may use the grants for commercial rent and utilities, inventory, equipment, insurance, payroll and other working capital needs, according to a news release from Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, based in Auburn.
“We would like to encourage small businesses in our region that started during the COVID-19 pandemic and were negatively impacted to apply for the Economic Recovery Hub Grant,” said Amy Landry, executive director. “In addition to grant funding, AVCOG will offer targeted technical assistance to eligible businesses, and we encourage them to complete the intake form available on the website.”
This grant was awarded to AVCOG by the Maine State Department of Economic and Community Development with Federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. The deadline to apply to AVCOG’s HUB Grant program is Friday, March 29. There is a potential for future rounds of funding.
Visit avcog.org to access program and application details.
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