GARDINER — Time is running out for Maine artisans to apply for the Community Enterprise Grant Program. The first round of applications are due in the West Gardiner town office by 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30. 

The town of West Gardiner established a Community Enterprise Grant Program that will provide grants up to $25,000 to income-qualifying artisan micro-businesses (individuals or companies that employ less than five full-time employees and make less than $1 million) who produce and sell an artistic or value-added product in Maine and are interested in placing their work in the Center for Maine Craft in the West Gardiner Travel Plaza. 

Funds may be used to create a variety of products for the center. “The grant will pay for the work of artisan businesses from Maine so more people can have the chance to participate in a significant way in the Center for Maine Craft. It is hoped these businesses will grow,” said Tracy Michaud Stutzman, grant administrator and executive director of the Maine Crafts Association. 

All Maine artisans are eligible. By October, the first round of Community Enterprise (CE) Grants will be provided to artisans who submit work proposals to create items such as pottery, wood boxes and bowls, baskets, fiber art and wearables, bags, bath and body items, children’s toys, metal and glass work, books, cards, CDs and packaged foods to go into the center so the center can sell or display the work as part of their own inventory. 

Funding for the grants comes from the Department of Economic and Community Development. Applications can be picked up at the West Gardiner Town Office or Center for Maine Craft during regular business hours, downloaded from the Maine Crafts Association Web site at www.mainecrafts.org or by contacting Stutzman at 564-0041 or [email protected].