COVID-19 Funding Resources
The following guide serves as an outline to grant and loan opportunities for central Maine’s small businesses, non-profits, individuals, and municipal governments. CMGC strives to update this guide in a timely manner, and therefore programs including the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) are not included.
A slide deck of all relevant COVID-19 funding sources is available here, which includes additional information on technical assistance partners and a needs assessment intake form.
Please note that this list of of programs is subject to change, further review, and funding availability. The cited programs are not a comprehensive list of all COVID-19-related relief programs.
• CARES Act Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) – The CARES Act was passed in 2020 to reduce the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of this measure, KVCOG has received an award of $670,000 through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (U.S. EDA) to encourage lending through a new RLF Fund. These funds come with very favorable terms, not typical of our regular RLF loans:
– These loans are available to businesses located in Kennebec, Somerset, and western Waldo counties in Maine.
– These loans have extremely flexible lending terms and very favorable interest rates. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis.
– Technical assistance will be provided upon request.
• Employee Retention Tax Credit – delay payment of Employer’s portion of social security tax (6.2% on wages paid) to the IRS until 12/ 31/ 21 (when 50% are due) and 12/31/ 22 (when the remainder is due). For businesses of all sizes that:
– do not take small business loans;
– are earning gross receipts that are 50% or less than the comparable quarter in 2019; and
– are partially or fully suspended by government order due to COVID-19 during the calendar quarter
• FAME Business Direct Loan – provides up to $50,000 at WSJ prime rate minus 1%. For eligible borrowers who are:
– a Maine-based business
– experiencing interruption or hardship due to COVID-19
• FAME Interim Business Relief Loan – provides up to $100,000 in direct loans to eligible borrowers who provide proof of commitment of SBA (Small Business Administration) financing.
• Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit – receive tax credit equal to 40% of the cash equity invested in a Maine business. For investors who:
– invest in a Maine business
– own less than 50% of the business, which must earn less than $5M in annual sales (and align with additional eligibility criteria)
• MaineStream Finance Business Booster Loan – provides up to $10,000 to cover up to two months of working capital/operating expenses. Eligible borrowers include:
– sole proprietors and the self-employed
– small businesses who have or have not received relief financing through PPP or EIDL
• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – the deadline on this forgivable loan program intended for payroll expenses has been extended to August 8th.
• Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) – established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act. To apply, eligible businesses:
– Must have been in operation as of February 29, 2020
– Include live venue operators or promoters, theatrical producers, and live performing arts organization operators
• Sick Leave Tax Credit – receive tax credit equal to 100% of “qualified sick leave wages” paid in the calendar quarter. For businesses that:
– employ fewer than 500 workers
– are required to pay “qualified sick leave wages” or “qualified family leave wages”
• Elmina B. Sewall Foundation Rapid Response Fund – offers grants of up to $10,000 to support the emergency and/or time-sensitive needs of non-profits whose work is aligned with the mission and values of the Foundation.
• Employee Retention Tax Credit – delay payment of Employer’s portion of social security tax (6.2% on wages paid) to the IRS until 12/ 31/ 21 (when 50% are due) and 12/31/ 22 (when the remainder is due). For tax-exempt organizations of all sizes that:
– do not take small business loans;
– are earning gross receipts that are 50% or less than the comparable quarter in 2019; and
– are partially or fully suspended by government order due to COVID-19 during the calendar quarter
• Sick Leave Tax Credit – receive tax credit equal to 100% of “qualified sick leave wages” paid in the calendar quarter. For tax-exempt organizations that:
– employ fewer than 500 workers
– are required to pay “qualified sick leave wages” or “qualified family leave wages”
• United Way of Mid-Maine Community First Fund – provides grants on a rolling basis to non-profits within the relevant service area.
• Waterville Rotary Grant – for local organizations addressing food insecurity and lack of basic needs supplies in our community. Eligible applicants include:
– 501 C3 organization (or have a fiscal sponsor that is a 501 C3)
– A local city/town operated service
– Provide food or basic necessities (i.e., hygiene items, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, etc.)
• FAME Consumer Loan – provides up to three (3) separate no- to low-interest loans of up to $5,000 each, minus any unemployment benefits received. Eligible borrowers are:
– Maine residents (including the self-employed)
– experiencing a reduction of income due to COVID-19
– applying through a partner credit union or bank
• Good Shepherd Food Bank – alleviates hunger by providing free food and supplies; visit the link to find a location nearest you.
• Dept. Labor Dislocated Worker Grant – provides up to $100 M in funding resources for the implementation of Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) training and employment services.
• U.S. EDA Public Works & Economic Adjustment Assistance – funds 80-100% of eligible construction, non-construction, and technical assistance projects.
