WATERVILLE – Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC) has opened applications to its Waterville Region Small Business Grant (WRSBG), a new program designed as a timely deployment of funds to respond to the COVID-19 related needs of small businesses in Fairfield, Oakland, Waterville, and Winslow.
Eligible applicants may receive up to $2,000 in grant funding, which covers a wide array of business expenses and is intended to retain, expand, and attract small businesses and local talent. The regional geography reflects CMGC’s service area, its belief in the importance of regional approaches to economic growth, and the region’s collaborative commitment to an aggressive and successful economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are confident that the economic fundamentals of Waterville and the mid-Maine region are strong, and CMGC’s economic development strategy, including the deployment of the Waterville Region Small Business Grant, aims to bring sustainability to these fundamentals,” explains Garvan Donegan, director of planning and economic development at Central Maine Growth Council.
As COVID-19 created an unprecedented challenge for Maine businesses beginning in March, CMGC worked tirelessly to support business owners, entrepreneurs, and their employees, driving timely investments, supportive economic activity, and applications to indirect and direct funding programs. The WRSBG program is an evolution of CMGC’s assistance to businesses and local communities, providing vital support as businesses reopen and federal and state funding programs reach capacity.
“We have to learn the lesson from COVID-19 that going forward, we must ensure that our region – as well as our state – is more resilient than it has ever been,” states Chris Gaunce, chairperson of the CMGC Board of Directors, owner of Central Maine Motors Auto Group, and a donor to the WRSBG fund. “How we approach the challenge of recovery from the pandemic will define the region and whether it is stronger and better prepared for the future.”
Interested applicants may visit www.centralmaine.org/covid-19 to view grant program materials, review eligibility requirements, and apply. Questions may be directed to director@centralmaine.org or 207-680-7300. The grant program is made possible through the contributions of generous supporters including the Bill & Joan Alfond Foundation, Central Maine Motors Auto Group, and Colby College.
This is the second grant program launched by CMGC; its Downtown Waterville Facade & Building Improvement Grant Program announced earlier this spring the awardees of its 2020 funding round.
Last modified: July 20, 2020